(image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Mar. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean children aged between three and eight spend nearly three hours per day on smartphones, televisions and personal computers, a survey showed Friday.
They spent an average of 177 minutes every day on watching television or playing with smartphones and personal computers, according to the survey of mothers of 706 children, conducted by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education (KICCE) last year.
The total time breaks down to 102 minutes watching television and 55 minutes and 20 minutes using smartphones and personal computers, respectively.
By age group, those between three and five years old spent 167 minutes with various devices, for those aged between six and eight, the number was 186 minutes.
About 72.2 percent of the children spent time at home relaxing and playing, with only 18.0 percent picking playgrounds and parks as the places for play.
Internet, smartphones and televisions were the most popular gadgets for playing (43.5 percent).
Engaging in games, painting and making things, as well as building blocks, were all activities children enjoyed.
“We are concerned about the risks involving children who are exposed to the media and Internet in a defenseless state,” the institute said. “We need to promote the importance of children playing with things other than smart gadgets and media content.”
(Yonhap)
