Mediaboss Marketing

Half of parents believe that social networking websites and apps have harmful effects on their children, according to a new survey. Almost half, 47 per cent, of all adults with or without children agree.

Reading or sending emails is also, on balance, seen as a good thing. When it comes to how much time children spend on the internet and other activities, 61 per cent say they are spending about the right amount of time watching TV, and 58 per cent say the same about playing games on a computer. Six in ten say their children are spending the right amount of time with friends, although 22 per cent do say they are spending too little.

Excessive use of the mobile phone does not seem to be the main parental worry. While 26 per cent say their children are spending too much time on them, the majority of parents in Britain today seem more relaxed, saying they spend about the right amount of time.

Simon Atkinson, assistant chief executive of Ipsos MORI, said: This new data shows some very clear concerns from parents about the how children in Britain use the internet - particularly when it comes to social media and playing video games.

However, its not all bad: parents are also very clear about the advantages to accessing the internet, for example through e-books and surfing the net more generally. And their perception is that their children at least thing s in proportion relatively few think they are spending too much time on the internet or on their phones.

The internet is now an integral part of most Britons lives, but the question is how can we minimise the risk to children, whilst allowing them opportunity to access the wealth of resources, information and interaction that is on offer.

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Social networks harm children, say half of British parents