A recent warning to parents with broadband connections has reflected how many kids are spending most of their free time online

According to a recent report the parents of kids that have broadband connections in their homes have been given a warning by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) over the length of time young kids are now spending online for purposes other than work and education. Lower cost broadband has given kids the opportunity to spend more time online, and many are taking this to unhealthy levels, spending all of their free time online.

Having a broadband connection at an affordable price offering ‘unlimited’ access to the Internet at a fixed price has proven very useful for parents and their kids, as it has given them a valuable yet affordable tool that can prove invaluable when it comes to an aide for assisting with homework and educational projects. Over recent years broadband has become more affordable and accessible, and an increasing number of families with children in the home have had broadband connections installed in the home.

However, research has shown that many kids are now using this accessibility to the Internet for their own means, with many spending around twenty hours a week online. It is thought that many of these kids are spending their time using social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace, which have become increasingly popular amongst the younger generation over the past year or so.

An industry official involved with the report and the research stated: “Government needs to improve media literacy programmes for kids and to make sure parents are aware of how they can support young people’s positive online experiences.” The report also went on to state that these social networking sites that have proven so popular with kids need to bring in some sort of regulation to make broadband use safer for children.