 Parents consider mobile phones as part of their children's safety |
Parents' concerns have been cited as a reason why the number of seven to 10-year-olds with a mobile phone has almost doubled in three years. A survey, which questioned 2,000 youngsters, has said 25% of primary school children use a mobile.
The findings from market analysts Mintel also revealed that life can be demanding for primary school pupils.
More than a third said they were worried about schoolwork and almost half had concerns about bullying.
Only 46% of seven to 10-year-olds said they actually enjoyed school.
'Complex lifestyles'
Jenny Catlin, consumer analyst at Mintel, said parents felt reassured that they could get in touch with their children at any time, and some consider mobile phones important for the safety of their children.
She added: "Children in one-parent households are more likely to have their own phone.
"This may be because these children have more complex lifestyles, especially if they are in regular touch with their non-resident parent and may need a phone more to help with the logistics of moving between two households."
Ms Catlin said it was surprising that so many children were concerned about their schoolwork.
"This does go hand-in-hand with the growing emphasis on school testing.
"Combined with their anxiety about bullying it suggests that life can be quite stressful, even at this young age," she said.
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