Kids are gadget-ed to the max by the age of 9 ¼

Almost half of children own a mobile phone and 9 ¼ is the average age they get their first handset. By that age, they are also the owners of their first games console, digital camera, TV, MP3 player and laptop. This is according to research carried out by Gadget Show Live Christmas, which takes place from 30 November to 2 December at ExCeL in London.

The research – which surveyed over 1,000 parents – showed that eight must be a fantastic age to be a kid these days:

49% of children have a mobile phone
Average age kids get a mobile phone – 9.25
Average age kids get an MP3 player – 8.77
Average age kids get a TV – 8.73
Average age kids get a digital camera – 8.48
Average age kids get a laptop – 8.83
Average age kids get a games console – 7.57

Sally Bent, marketing manager, Gadget Show Live Christmas, said: “Connecting with technology is second nature to kids nowadays. Babies playing with mobile phones, toddlers swiping their index fingers across tablets and tweens glued to their portable games consoles are common, everyday occurrences, so it’s not surprising that more and more parents are feeling comfortable about giving their kids access to technology at a relatively young age.”

For more information, to book tickets or to find out about exhibiting, visit gadgetshowlive.net/tickets.