GSMA Report Childrens Use of Mobile Phones An International Comparison 2015

Children’s use
of mobile phones
An international comparison 2015
CHILDREN’S USE OF MOBILE PHONES – AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON 2015
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s largest telecommunications company,
worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 provides innovative, convenient and secure mobile services
companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset that enable customers to realize smarter lives. The company
and device makers, software companies, equipment providers serves over 68 million customers in Japan via advanced wireless
and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent networks, including a nationwide LTE network and one of the
industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading world’s most progressive LTE-Advanced networks.
events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress
Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences. The Mobile Society Research Institute (MSRI) within NTT
DOCOMO was established in 2004. The MSRI studies both
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website positive and negative impacts of mobile ICT services on our
at www.gsma.com society to realize smarter lives. Its activities and findings are
disclosed to Japanese society through the Internet and the
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For more information, please visit

www.moba-ken.jp
Published in 2016 by the GSMA and the Mobile Society Research Institute within
NTT DOCOMO, Inc. Japan.
With special thanks to Tigo, TRA Bahrain and Smart for providing the data for this report.
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 3
3 CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES: AN OVERVIEW 6
4 CHILDREN’S USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND THE INTERNET 11
5 MOBILE APPS 15
6 SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES (SNS) 21
7 PRIVACY 28
8 DIGITAL LITERACY, PARENTAL CONTROLS AND CHILDREN’S WELLBEING 32
1
1
INTRODUCTION
Children’s use of mobile phones – An international
comparison 2015 provides a detailed comparison
of children’s mobile phone and internet usage in
four countries across the world - Bahrain, Honduras,
Japan and the Philippines.
The 2015 research has been funded by mobile operators and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Kingdom
of Bahrain with a contribution from GSMA and the continued support of the Mobile Society Research Institute.
The report data was obtained through a series of surveys conducted in each country during 2014 or 2015. Unless
otherwise specified, all data contained in the report is based on these surveys.
1.1 Methodology
The surveys were undertaken by researchers in each in Figures 3-1-3, 3-2-2, 4-1-2, 5-3-1, 5-3-2, 5-4-1, 5-5-1,
of the countries. Children and parents were presented 6-2-1, 7-3-1 and 7-3-2 as the additional questions were
with different questionnaires that followed the same not included in the TRA survey conducted in 2014. For
themes, allowing for direct comparisons to be drawn on the study conducted in the Philippines, respondents
key areas. A summary of the surveys in each country is came from urban and rural areas, and represented an
shown in Table 1-1-1. There is no data shown for Bahrain economic cross section of the country.
Table 1-1-1 Survey Summaries

Number of respondents Children’s age range
Country Month surveyed Survey mode
and gender (years)
3,315 pairs
TOTAL – (Boy 48.5%, 8-18 –
Girl 51.5%)
500 pairs
Personal in-home and
BAHRAIN November 2014 (Boy 56.0%, 8-18
online survey
Girl 44.0%)
796 pairs
8-18 (children who use
HONDURAS November 2015 (Boy 49.7%, Online survey
mobile phone)
Girl 50.3%)
1,018 pairs
PHILIPPINES November 2015 (Boy 41.1%, 8-18 Online survey
Girl 58.9%)
1,001 pairs
JAPAN September 2015 (Boy 51.2%, 8-18 Online survey
Girl 48.8%)
2
2
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS
2.1 Key findings by chapter
Chapter 3: Children and mobile phones: an overview

• On average, 67 per cent of children surveyed in • 52 per cent of children surveyed use a tablet.
Bahrain, Japan and the Philippines The Philippines has the highest proportion at
use a mobile phone. 76 per cent and Japan the lowest at 24 per cent.
• 10 years is the most common age for children

to receive their first mobile phone.
Chapter 4: Children’s use of mobile phones and the internet

• 85 per cent of all children surveyed who use mobile • 91 per cent of children use the camera on their
phones access the internet on their device. mobile phone or smartphone and nearly half watch
films or videos on their mobile phone.
• Overall, the most popular types of internet content
that children access from mobile phones are • 45 per cent of children use GPS location services on
entertainment such as ring tones, wallpapers, their phones.
screen savers, games, music, and videos, at over
90 per cent. This increases to 97 per cent for child
smartphone users.
3
Chapter 5: Mobile apps: download and use

• 93 per cent of children that use smartphones have • The majority of children say they read the terms and
downloaded apps including 100 per cent of children conditions/permissions when downloading apps and
in Bahrain. 39 per cent say they understand them.
• In Japan, children aged 8 to 11 download apps but at • 20 per cent of children in Honduras, Japan and the
a relatively low rate compared to other countries, Philippines have downloaded or used paid apps.
• The most popular apps used by children are

entertainment apps (78 per cent) followed by
communication apps, such as social networking or
instant messaging apps (68 per cent).
Chapter 6: Social networking services (SNS)

• On average over 80 per cent of children using mobile • 75 per cent of children who use social networking
phones access social networking services on their services agree that these services reinforce
phones, and this increases to 93 per cent for children relationships with close friends or enable them to
using smartphones. have stronger relationships with friends who they
were not so close to previously.
• The use of social networking services increases
with age reaching over 80 per cent of children by
age 15 and this age-related trend is particularly
evident in Japan.
• Nearly 60 per cent of children have over 100 friends

on social networking services, and approximately
70 per cent include their parents on their friends list.
65 per cent of children who use social networking
services communicate with ‘new friends’ online.
4
Chapter 7: Privacy
• Half of children who use social network services • 90 per cent of children who use social networking
responded that their profile was private. services say they can change the privacy settings on
those services by themselves.
• 55 per cent of children responded that their
photo has been uploaded by someone else, with • Over 65 per cent of children who use a mobile phone
advanced permission requested from them in half protect their privacy by using a password or pin
of these cases. number on their phone.
Chapter 8: Digital literacy, parental controls and children’s wellbeing

• In most countries, children primarily seek advice • 45 per cent of children responded that they have
from their parents when they have issues regarding tried unsuccessfully to spend less time on their
mobile phone use. However, in Bahrain, children mobile phone.
most frequently seek advice from friends.
• Nearly 70 per cent of parents set rules on the timing
• Nearly 70 per cent of children say that having a and location of when their children can use their
mobile phone makes them feel more confident. mobile phones.
However, the majority feel insecure or bothered
when they don’t have their mobile phones. • 40 per cent of parents have parental control
functions activated on their children’s mobile phones
• 45 per cent of children responded that they have with content filtering the most commonly used
spent less time than they should with either family, function.
friends or doing schoolwork because of the time
they spend on their mobile phone.
5
3
CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES:

AN OVERVIEW
How many children own mobile phones and what
do they use them for? This Chapter discusses the
differences across the four countries surveyed and
how they relate to the percentage of children who
own a mobile phone, age of first acquisition, type
of mobile phone owned and tablet use.
Key findings of children
67%
surveyed in
On average Bahrain,
Japan and the
Philippines
use a mobile
phone.
years
10 is the most common age for children
to receive their first mobile phone.
52%
The Philippines has the
highest proportion at
of children
surveyed use
a tablet.
76%
and Japan the lowest at 24 per cent.
3.1 Mobile phone use and age of first ownership

Almost 66.7 per cent of children surveyed in Bahrain, followed by the Philippines at nearly 60 per cent.
Japan and the Philippines use a mobile phone with Japan has the lowest penetration rate at 57 per cent
Bahrain having the highest proportion at 99 per cent, (Figure 3-1-1).
Figure 3-1-1 Percentage of children using a mobile phone by country (% of all children surveyed)
JAPAN
(n=1001) 57.3 2.1 40.6
BAHRAIN
(n=500) 99.0 1.0
PHILIPPINES
(n=988) 59.9 32.1 8.0
HONDURAS 66.7
51.0 49.0 13.6
AVERAGE
(n=2489) 66.7 13.6 19.7
Use one currently Have used one once, but not now Have never used
Across Honduras, Japan and the Philippines, 10 years for Japan, age 10 in the Philippines and age 12 in
was the most common age for a child to first own a Honduras. Looking at the three country average for
mobile phone, followed by 12 and 15 (Figure 3-1-2). Japan, the Philippines and Honduras, the most common
age for a child to first own a mobile phone is between
Looking at the age at which children started to own a 10 and 12 years.
mobile phone, age 15 was the most common response
Figure 3-1-2 Age of first mobile phone ownership by country (% of children who use a mobile phone)
30%
20%
10%
0%
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Average Japan Philippines Honduras

(n=1961) (n=574) (n=592) (n=795)
7
The results shown in Figure 3-1-2 are dependent on the 15 were asked when they first owned a mobile phone.
age distribution of the sample and tend to be biased The results are shown in Figure 3-1-3 below and indicated
towards a younger age of first ownership. For example, that, on average, age 12 is the most common age for
a 12-year-old couldn’t say their age of first ownership children to receive their first phone. Among the three
was older than 12 years. Therefore the younger the countries shown, the age at which children started to
respondents, the lower the age of first ownership will be. use a mobile phone or smartphone was the earliest for
In an attempt to mitigate this bias, children aged 14 or the Philippines.
Figure 3-1-3 Age of first mobile phone ownership by country, as reported by 14 to 15-year-olds
(% of 14 to 15-year-old children who use a mobile phone)
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

(n=377) (n=114) (n=84) (n=179)
Bahrain data is not shown because the questions were not included in the 2014 survey
3.2 Types of mobile phones used

For the purpose of this report, mobile devices are Smartphones were the most common response for
categorized into three types: each of the four countries, with the four country
average for smartphones being 74 per cent. Honduras
Basic phones: Used to make calls and send
• had the highest smartphone ownership rate at 85.3
messages, such as SMS, but cannot access the per cent, and conversely the Philippines had the
internet and have limited other functions. lowest smartphone ownership rate at 58.7 per cent.
Feature phones: Have multiple functions in

• In Japan, feature phones have been the most
addition to calling and messaging, such as a commonly used phones by children for a number
camera and possibly internet access, however the of years. However, the number of children using
user cannot easily download apps. smartphones is rapidly increasing with smartphone
use increasing to 67 per cent, up from 55 per cent
Smartphones: Highly sophisticated phones with
• in 2014.
access to the internet and Wi-Fi, where users
can easily download and run apps. Examples
of smartphones include iPhone, Blackberry and
phones that use the Android operating system.
8
Figure 3-2-1 Types of mobile phones used by country (% of children who use a mobile phone)
JAPAN
(n=574) 20.6 12.0 67.4
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 14.1 4.0 81.9
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 16.6 24.7 58.7
HONDURAS
(n=795) 7.8 6.9 85.3
AVERAGE
(n=2456)
14.2 11.8 74.0
Basic phone Feature phone Smartphone
Figure 3-2-2 below shows children’s smartphone usage rate by age and country.
In Japan, smartphone usage rate tends to increase with age, while in the Philippines and Honduras there does not
appear to be much of a relationship between the smartphone ownership rate and the age of children.
Figure 3-2-2 Percentage of child mobile phone users who have a smartphone by age and country
(% of children who use a mobile phone)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

(n=1962) (n=574) (n=592) (n=795)
9
3.3 Tablet use
Figure 3-3-1 shows that 52 per cent of children proportion of children using a tablet at 76 per cent,
surveyed use a tablet. The Philippines has the highest with Japan the lowest at 24 per cent.
Figure 3-3-1 Tablet usage by country (% of all children surveyed)
80%
34.6
29.0
60%
25.7
40% 23.7
42.6 41.5
20%
26.3
16.9 21.7
6.7
0%
N S S
PA AIN INE RA AG
E
JA 1001) HR ) PP ) DU ) ER 86)
(n= BA =500 I L I 9 N
HO (n=79
5 V
A =32
(n PH (n=98 (n
Yes, I have sole use of one Yes, I have shared use of one
Honduras is “% of children who use a mobile phone.”
10
4
CHILDREN’S USE OF MOBILE PHONES

AND THE INTERNET
This chapter examines how children use the
internet and the content they access via their
mobile phones.
Key findings
of all children surveyed Overall, the most
who use mobile popular types of
85%
phones access internet content
the internet on that children access
their device. from mobile phones
This increases are entertainment
to 97 per such as ringtones,
cent for child wallpapers, screen
smartphone savers, games,
users. music, and videos,
at over 90 per cent.
This increases to 97 per cent

for child smartphone users.
90 per cent of
children use the
camera on their
45%
mobile phone
or smartphone
and nearly half
watch films or
videos on their
of children use GPS location
mobile phone. services on their phones.
11
4.1 Mobile internet use
Figure 4-1-1 shows that 85 per cent of the children Mobile internet usage is particularly high among
who use a mobile phone in all four countries children who are smartphone users, at over
surveyed, use the internet from their mobile phone. 90 per cent in all countries except for the Philippines
Bahrain has the highest percentage of mobile (88 per cent).
internet usage at 99 per cent, followed by Honduras
at 89 per cent, the Philippines at 85 per cent and
Japan at 69 per cent.
Figure 4-1-1 Mobile internet penetration rate by country and type of mobile phone
100%
99.0
99.3
96.8
97.7
97.3
80% 88.7
88.1
85.3
84.9
60%
69.0
40%
20%
0%
74) =387) 95) =405) 58) n=201) 95) =678) 222
) 671)
(n=5 (n (n=4 (n (n=3 ( (n=7 (n (n=2 (n=1
JAPAN BAHRAIN PHILIPPINES HONDURAS AVERAGE
Mobile phone and smartphone total Smartphone
Figure 4-1-2 shows the internet usage rate on age. In the Philippines and Honduras over 60 per
mobile phones by age for Honduras, Japan and the cent of children are accessing the internet from their
Philippines. In all three countries internet usage from phones by age 8, whereas in Japan this rate is only
a mobile phone tends to increase with children’s reached by age 13.
12
Figure 4-1-2 Mobileinternet penetration rate by country and age

100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

(n=1964) (n=574) (n=595) (n=795)
4.2 Internet content accessed from mobile phones

Overall, the most popular types of internet content that The four country average for children using the internet
children access from mobile phones are entertainment to study was 42.4 per cent.
such as ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, games,
music, and videos.
Figure 4-2-1 Types of internet content children access via a mobile phone by country
(% of children who access the internet via a mobile phone)
80%
Play internet games on

70% your own or against the
72.7
phone
60% Obtain information

62.4
related to news,
58.9
weather forecasts,
57.6
transport, sports,
53.8
53.6
50% entertainment,
51.8
50.3
50.0
movies, hobbies
47.0
46.6
and travel
44.7
44.4
40%
43.5
42.4
42.5
42.4
Access ringtones,
37.8
ring songs,
30% screensavers,
33.0
33.0
games, music or
videos
20%
Use your phone for school
19.2
or work (e.g. for learning,

18.2
courses, skill training, or

14.2
10% school work)

11.3
10.9
Watch short videos

0%
(n=396) (n=302) (n=304) (n=705) (n=1707)
13
4.3 Use of pre-installed mobile phone functions
The most common mobile phone and smartphone doing so, much higher than any other country. The
features used by children are cameras and music use for mobile money services varies widely with
players. 90 per cent of children who use mobile 22 per cent of children using these services on their
phones use the inbuilt camera. phones in Bahrain but less than 5 per cent in Japan
and Honduras.
45 per cent of children use GPS location based
services with up to 77 per cent of children in Bahrain
Figure 4-3-1 Use of pre-installed features and services by country

100%
100.0
96.0
90%
94.8
90.6
89.1
86.3
85.5
80%
81.3
79.6
78.0
77.0
70%
70.5
65.3
60% 65.2
58.4
56.8
56.6
50%
52.0
51.4
48.0
40%
44.6
41.6
38.8
30%
29.3
25.9
20%
22.2
16.6
6.8
10%
14.0
14.1
4.0
12.6
12.1
3.0
9.2
0%
(n=574) (n=495) (n=358) (n=795) (n=2222)
Camera Music player Password/PIN Movie player Location services TV Mobile money
14
5
MOBILE APPS
This chapter examines children’s use of apps on
their mobile phones.
Key findings
The most popular apps used by children
are entertainment apps (78 per cent)
followed by communication apps, such
20%
as social networking or instant messaging
apps (67 per cent). The majority of
children say they
of children read the terms
in Honduras, and conditions/
Japan and the permissions when
Philippines have downloading
downloaded or apps and 39 per
cent say they
Nearly used paid apps. understand them.
93%
In Japan, children
of children that use
smartphones have aged 8 to 11 download
downloaded apps apps but at a relatively
including 100
per cent of low rate compared to
children in other countries.
Bahrain.
15
5.1 Mobile apps: Downloads and use by type

Across the four countries 92.6 per cent of children that use smartphones download or use apps and in Bahrain the
rate is 100 per cent.
Figure 5-1-1 Child smartphone users who download/use apps by country

(% of children who use smartphones)
BAHRAIN
(n=405) HONDURAS AVERAGE
JAPAN PHILIPPINES (n=678) (n=1670)
(n=387) (n=205)
100%
90.2% 92.6% 92.6%
87.5%
When looking at the apps use rate by age, there is little difference in the Philippines and Honduras, however, in
Japan, the use of apps by children aged 8 to 11 is relatively low and only reaches similar levels to other countries
at age 12.
Figure 5-1-2 Mobile apps use by age and country

(% of children who access the internet via smartphone)
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

(n=1214) (n=378) (n=176) (n=660)
16
5.2 Types of app used (content used)

In the survey, mobile apps are categorised into five Across the four countries entertainment apps
different types: are the most popular at 77.9 per cent followed by
communication apps such as social networking services.
• Entertainment (e.g. games, music) Children in the Philippines use education apps much
• Communication (e.g. social networking, more than in the other countries with 42.9 per cent using
instant messaging) education apps compared to 35.7 per cent in Honduras,
• Education and learning (e.g. digital textbook) 21.8 per cent in Japan and 16.1 per cent in Bahrain. The
• Information (e.g. news, weather, transportation, relatively high rate in the Philippines is likely to be
search tools) due to the GSMA Education programme developed
• Fitness and health (e.g. pedometer, recorder in partnership with the Philippines Department of
of running) Education and mobile operators Smart and Globe1.
Figure 5-2-1 Types of apps used by country

(% of children who download apps on smartphones)
100%
91.4
90.4
86.0
80%
77.9
67.4
67.5
60%
57.9
46.1
45.7
40%
44.1
42.9
40.4
39.3
36.2
35.7
29.3
25.4
20%
21.8
22.3
20.7
16.7
16.1
4.3
13.6
9.7
0%
(n=349) (n=280) (n=175) (n=628) (n=1432)
Entertainment Communication Information Education and learning Fitness and health
1. See http://www.gsma.com/connectedliving/case-study-how-mobile-is-extending-education-in-the-philippines/
17
5.3 Children who download or use paid apps

Figure 5-3-1 shows the percentage of children in each three countries surveyed 19.6 per cent of children had
country who download or use paid apps (i.e. apps used paid apps.
which cost money to download or use). Across the
Figure 5-3-1 Children who download or use paid apps by country

40%
26.3
20%
18.6 19.6
18.3
0% Yes
JAPAN PHILIPPINES HONDURAS AVERAGE
(n=349) (n=175) (n=623) (n=1147)
Looking at the results by age, whilst younger children have used paid apps in the Philippines and Honduras,
no children aged 11 or under in Japan have done so.
Figure 5-3-2 Children who download or use paid apps by age

80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Average Japan Philippines Honduras Bahrain data is not shown because the questions were not included in the 2014 survey
(n=1147) (n=349) (n=175) (n=623)
18
5.4 Children and parents who read terms and conditions/

permissions when downloading apps
In Honduras, Japan and the Philippines children and In comparison, the majority of parents who download
their parents were asked if they read the terms and apps across the three countries read the terms and
conditions/permissions associated with the apps they conditions/permissions and, again, the Philippines has
download on their mobile phones. On average, just over the highest rate.
half of children read the terms and conditions (50.1 per
cent), with children in Japan the least likely at 44.4 per
cent and Philippino children the most likely to do so at
66.3 per cent.
Figure 5-4-1 Children

and parents who read terms and conditions/permissions when
downloading apps (% of children and parents who download apps)
80%
73.9
66.3
60%
63.7
61.5
55.4
50.1
48.7
44.4
40%
20%
0%
49) 22) 75) 25) 28) =500) 152) 547
)
(n=3 (n=5 (n=1 (n=5 (n=6 (n (n=1 (n=1
JAPAN PHILIPPINES HONDURAS AVERAGE
Children who download applications in smartphone Parents who download applications in mobile phone
19
5.5 L
evel of understanding of the apps terms and
conditions/permissions
The children surveyed were also asked whether they permissions related to their apps. The level of
understood the terms and conditions/permissions understanding is particularly low for Japan where the
associated with the apps that they download on their majority of children (55.6 per cent) do not understand
phones. Across the three countries only 38.6 per cent the terms and conditions/permissions.
of children understand the terms and conditions/
Figure 5-5-1 Level of understanding of the terms and conditions/permissions by country

(% of children who download apps)
JAPAN
(n=349) 27.5 16.9 55.6
PHILIPPINES
(n=175) 58.2 10.9 30.9
HONDURAS
(n=628) 39.3 9.1 51.6
AVERAGE
(n=1152) 38.6 11.7 49.7
Yes, I read the Terms & Conditions/App permissions and understand what I read
Yes, I read the Terms & Conditions/App permissions but do not understand what I read
No, I do not read the Terms & Conditions/App permissions
20
6
SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES (SNS)

This chapter looks at the social networking services
that children use on their mobile phones.
Key findings
80%
On average
80%
The use of social
networking services
increases with age
reaching over 80 per cent
of children by aged 15
of children using mobile phones

access social networking services
and this age-related
on their phones, and this increases
trend is particularly
to 93 per cent for children using
evident in Japan.
smartphones.
Nearly 60 per 80 per cent of children who use social networking services
cent of children have agree that these services reinforce relationships with close
over 100 friends on social
friends or enable them to have stronger relationships with
networking services, and
approximately 70 per cent friends who they were not so close to previously.
include their parents on their
friends list.
65%
of children who use social
networking services communicate
with ‘new friends’ online.
6.1 Social networking services use rate

The four country average for social networking services cent. The use rate was highest in Bahrain at 99 per cent
use with mobile phones and smartphones is 81.4 per and lowest in Japan at 59.2 per cent.
Figure 6-1-1 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by country

100%
99.0
80% 87.5
78.8 81.4
60%
59.2
40%
20%
0%
(n=574) (n=495) (n=358) (n=795) (n=2222)
6.2 Social networking services use rate by age

Looking at the social networking services use rate by and Honduras, while the use rate is low compared to
age, the overall trend is for the use rate to increase other countries in Japan. The social networking services
with age. However, children age 8 to 14 are using social use rate among children age 15 and above is above 80
networking services regardless of age in the Philippines per cent for each country.
Figure 6-2-1 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by country and age
(% of children who use mobile phone)
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

(n=1727) (n=574) (n=358) (n=795)
22
6.3 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by

handset type and country
Looking at results by the type of mobile device owned, among smartphone users in Bahrain at 99.3 per cent
92.7 per cent of children who own a smartphone use and lowest in the Philippines at 80.1 per cent.
social networking services. Use rate is the highest
Figure 6-3-1 Use

of social networking services on mobile phones by handset type and country
100%
99.3
99.0
96.3
92.7
87.5
80%
86.0
81.4
80.1
78.8
60%
59.2
40%
20%
0%
74) =387) 95) =405) 58) n=201) 95) 78) 222
) 671)
(n=5 (n (n=4 (n (n=3 ( (n=7 (n=6 (n=2 (n=1
All mobile phones Smartphone
23
6.4 N
umber of friends on social networking services
Figure 6-4-1 shows the number of friends that children cent of children using these services in Honduras,
have on social networking services broken down Bahrain and the Philippines had 101 friends or more on
by country. The most common response across all social networking services, only about 11 per cent had
countries was 100 or less friends. While over 65 per 101 friends or more in Japan.
Figure 6-4-1 Number of children’s social network contacts by country

(% of children who use SNS via their mobile phone)
JAPAN
(n=340) 88.9 8.5 2.6
BAHRAIN
(n=490) 29.4 22.9 47.7
PHILIPPINES
(n=282) 29.4 29.1 41.5
HONDURAS
(n=696) 35.0 28.2 36.8
AVERAGE
(n=1808) 42.7 23.2 34.1
Up to 100 people 101 to 300 people 301 or more people
24
6.5 Making new friends on social networking services

The four country average for children that have made cent, with Bahrain the highest at 83.3 per cent and
new friends on social networking services is 65.2 per Japan the lowest at 42.6 per cent.
Figure 6-5-1 Children who have met new “friends” on social networking services by country
(% of children who use SNS via their mobile phone)
100%
80% 83.3
60% 66.2 65.2

58.5
40%
42.6
20%
0%
(n=340) (n=490) (n=282) (n=696) (n=1808)
25
6.6 C
onnections with parents on social networking services
When asked if they were friends with their parents on social networking services, 72.6 per cent of children who
use social networking services responded that they were connected with their parents (four country average).
This response is highest for the Philippines, and lowest for Bahrain.
When comparing boys and girls, a slightly higher percentage of girls are friends with their parents.
Figure 6-6-1 Connections with parents by country

(% of children who use SNS on their mobile phone)
100.0
86.8
85.8
80.0
85.1
81.4
77.3
75.7
73.0
72.6
69.4
68.4
66.5
60.0
65.3
64.5
62.4
60.2
40.0
20.0
0.00
(n=340) (n=490) (n=282) (n=696) (n=1808 )
Boys Girls Overall
6.7 Relationships with close friends

On average, 85.5 per cent of children using social networking services responded that using these services allowed them
to have stronger relationships with close friends. The response was above 80 per cent for each country surveyed.
Figure 6-7-1 I have developed stronger relationships with close friends by country
(% of children who use SNS)
100%
22.9 28.4
80% 63.8 34.2
30.0
69.0
60%
61.3
50.0 51.3
40%
20%
20.0
Agree Somewhat agree

0%
N S S
PA AIN INE RA GE
JA 340) HR ) PP ) U RA)
BA =490 ILI ND 6) E
AV =1808
(n= (n PH (n=28
2 HO (n=69 (n
26
Meanwhile, 74.9 per cent responded that using social networking services allowed them to have stronger
relationships with friends they were not previously close with. This percentage was somewhat lower in Honduras
at 64 per cent.
Figure 6-7-2 Ihave developed stronger relationships with friends with whom I was not previously
close by country (% of children who use SNS via their mobile phone)
100%
18.6
80%
33.3
59.7 33.2
70.7
60% 30.5
40% 45.7
41.7
33.5
20%
13.5
0% Agree Somewhat agree
N S S
PA AIN INE RA GE
JA 340) HR PP ) U RA )
(n= BA =488) ILI 2 ND 6)
HO (n=69
E
AV =1806
(n PH (n=28 (n
27
7
PRIVACY
This chapter looks at the privacy permissions and
settings that children use on their mobile phones.
Key findings
Half of children
who use social
network services
responded that
55%
of children responded
that their photo has
their profile was been uploaded to
private. social networking sites
by someone other
than themselves and
their permission was
90%
requested in only half
of these cases.
Over
of children who
use social networking
services say they are
65%
of children who use a mobile
able to change their social
networking services privacy phone protect their privacy
settings by themselves. by using a password or pin
number.
28
7.1 Children’s privacy settings on social networks

There are various settings on social networking Across the four countries surveyed, 44.5 per cent
services that allow the user to control the amount of of children using social networking services had
content they share with others. Three levels of privacy their profile set to “private” so as not to disclose the
are examined in this report: contents of their profiles, with Bahrain the highest at
55.8 per cent. In Japan, 87.4 per cent of children have
Private: Only friends/contacts can see the partially private or private profiles with some form of
user’s information. limitations. The percentage across the four countries
Partially private: Friends of friends can see the with “public” setting was 34.6 per cent with the
user’s information. highest being Honduras at 43.7 per cent.
Public: Everyone can see the user’s information.
Figure 7-1-1 Children’s privacy settings on social networking services by country

JAPAN
(n=340) 8.8 37.9 49.5 3.8
BAHRAIN
(n=490) 36.9 7.3 55.8
PHILIPPINES
(n=282) 39.0 21.6 33.0 6.4
HONDURAS
(n=696) 43.7 17.1 38.9 0.3
AVERAGE
(n=1808) 34.6 19.1 44.5 1.8
Public Partially private Private Don’t know
29
7.2 Social networking services privacy setting

Across the four countries 90.2 per cent of children who privacy settings, with Bahrain the highest at 100 per
use social networking services responded that they are cent and Honduras the lowest at 85.8 per cent.
able to change their own social networking services
Figure 7-2-1 “I can change the privacy settings of social networking services by myself”
100%
7.3
92.7
18.8 20.6
80% 50.3 16.1
70.2 69.7 69.6

60%
40%
35.9
20%
0% Agree Somewhat agree

N ES S
PA AIN IN RA GE
JA 340) HR ) PP ) U RA )
BA =490 ILI ND 6) E
AV =1808
(n= (n PH (n=28
2 HO (n=69 (n
7.3 Permission for photo uploads to social networking services

Over 55 per cent of children who use social networking or other people. This percentage was highest for the
services on their phones in Japan, Honduras and the Philippines at 66 per cent and lowest for Japan at
Philippines have experienced a photo of them being 25 per cent.
uploaded to social network services by their friends
Figure 7-3-1 Experience of having photo uploaded to a social networking services by someone
else by country (% of children who use SNS)
JAPAN
(n=340) 25.0 59.4 15.6
PHILIPPINES
(n=282) 66.0 24.8 9.2
HONDURAS
(n=696) 65.7 31.0 3.3
AVERAGE
(n=1318) 55.3 37.0 7.7
Yes No I don’t know

30
Figure 7-3-2 shows the proportion of children who the three country average, this means that permission is
when asked “did your friend request your permission asked when uploading photos about half the time
to upload your photo?” 28.3 per cent responded “Yes, (53.7 per cent).
always” and 25.4 per cent responded “Yes, often” for
Figure 7-3-2 Permission requested by friends when uploading your photo onto social networking
services by country (% of children who have experienced upload of their own photos
by others on SNS)
JAPAN
(n=85) 14.1 36.5 30.6 18.8
PHILIPPINES
(n=186) 38.6 28.0 21.0 8.1 4.3
HONDURAS
(n=457) 26.5 22.3 33.5 17.5 0.2
AVERAGE
(n=728) 28.3 25.4 29.9 15.2 1.2
Yes, always Yes, often No, in most cases Not at all I do not know
7.4 Use of Password/PIN features

Figure 7-4-1 shows that 65 per cent of children who has the highest percentage at 86.3 per cent, followed
use mobile phones use a password/PIN function to by Honduras at 65.2 percent, the Philippines at 58.4 per
prevent their phone being accessed by others. Bahrain cent and Japan at 51.4 per cent.
Figure 7-4-1 Use of Password/PIN features by country

100%
80% 86.3
60% 65.2 65.3

58.4
51.4
40%
20%
0%
PA
N
AIN INE
S AS AG
E
JA 574) HR UR
BA =495) IPP 5) ND 95) ER
AV =2222
)
(n= (n
I L
PH (n=3 5 O
H (n=7 (n
31
8
DIGITAL LITERACY, PARENTAL

CONTROLS AND CHILDREN’S
WELLBEING
This chapter looks at children’s digital literacy in using
mobile phones and the internet and explores where
children go for advice. It also examines the extent of
parental involvement in their children’s mobile and
internet usage and the role that mobile technology
plays in children’s wellbeing including whether it has a
positive effect on their confidence and relationships.
Key findings
In most countries, children
primarily seek advice from Over 60 per cent
their parents when they of parents set rules
have issues regarding on the timing and
mobile phone use (43 per cent). location of when their
children can use their
However, in Bahrain, children
mobile phone.
most frequently seek advice
from friends.
70%
Nearly
of children say that

44%
of children responded
45% having a mobile phone 40 per cent of
that they have tried
of children responded makes them feel more parents have
that they have spent confident. However, parental control unsuccessfully to
less time than they
the majority feel functions spend less time on
should with either
family, friends or doing insecure or bothered activated on their mobile phone.
schoolwork because of when they don’t have their children’s
the time they spend on
their mobile phone. mobile phones.
their mobile phone.
32
8.1 Sources of advice for children

Improving children’s digital literacy is a way to make Figure 8-1-1 shows the people from whom children seek
mobile phone use safer for children, for example, by advice about their mobile phone use. Parents were the
helping children understand the risks, how to avoid most popular source of advice for the children surveyed
them, and whom to ask for help. (43.1 per cent), except for Bahrain, where children
primarily sought advice from their friends.
Figure 8-1-1 People from whom children seek advice about their mobile phone use by country
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Parents Friends Self-taught Older sibling Other family member
Average Japan Bahrain Philippines Honduras

(n=2455) (n=574) (n=495) (n=591) (n=795)
33
8.2 The impact of mobile ownership on children

Approximately 70 per cent of children in the four countries surveyed reported that ownership of mobile phones
enhanced their confidence.
Figure 8-2-1 “Having a mobile phone or smartphone makes me feel more confident”
JAPAN
(n=574) 9.6 38.2 38.8 13.4
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 39.0 37.8 13.9 9.3
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 51.1 37.2 5.6 6.1
HONDURAS
(n=795) 42.8 22.8 24.4 8.4 1.6
AVERAGE
(n=2456) 36.2 32.9 7.9 16.0 7.0
Agree Somewhat agree Neither Agree or Disagree Somewhat disagree Disagree

*A five-level evaluation scale was used for Honduras only.
When looking at insecurity, Figure 8-3-1 shows that 51 per cent of the children surveyed feel insecure without their
phone. 26.7 per cent said that they sometimes have become so absorbed in using their mobile phone that they
have gone without eating or sleeping. This is highest in Honduras and lowest in both Japan and Bahrain.
Figure 8-3-1 “I feel insecure without my mobile phone”

JAPAN
(n=574) 10.5 29.6 38.3 21.6
BAHRAIN
(n=494) 36.8 25.7 21.1 16.4
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 28.0 22.6 16.7 32.7
HONDURAS
(n=795) 29.7 23.4 28.3 11.7 6.9
AVERAGE
(n=2455) 26.2 25.1 9.2 21.0 18.5
34
Figure 8-4-1 “I have gone without eating or sleeping because of my mobile phone”
JAPAN
(n=574) 3.0 13.8 28.9 54.3
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 4.0 12.7 67.1 16.2
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 15.4 17.1 10.3 57.2
HONDURAS
(n=795) 18.4 17.2 33.5 14.5 16.4
AVERAGE
(n=2456) 11.2 15.5 10.9 27.4 35.0

52.9 per cent of children feel bothered if they cannot use their mobile phone. This is particularly high in Bahrain
(75 per cent) and low in Japan (30 per cent) and the majority (49.9 per cent) of children play with their mobile
phone to kill time when they are bored
Figure 8-5-1 “Ihave felt bothered when I cannot use my mobile phone”
JAPAN
(n=574) 4.7 25.4 34.0 35.9
BAHRAIN
(n=494 48.0 27.7 10.3 14.0
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 31.1 25.7 16.0 27.2
HONDURAS
(n=795) 28.2 24.3 29.1 11.9 6.5
AVERAGE
(n=2455) 27.3 25.6 9.4 17.8 19.9
35
Figure 8-6-1 “I have caught myself using the phone/surfing the internet/reading messages
when I am not really interested” (% of children who use a mobile phone)
JAPAN
(n=574) 15.0 36.2 19.2 29.6
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 29.9 11.1 3.0 56.0
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 34.0 32.4 13.0 20.6
HONDURAS
(n=795) 19.0 23.0 31.9 14.2 11.8
AVERAGE
(n=2456) 23.9 26.0 10.3 12.8 27.0
44.9 per cent of children responded that time spent with family and friends or studying had been reduced due
to their mobile phone use and 44.5 per cent responded that they have tried unsuccessfully to spend less time on
their mobile phone.
Figure 8-7-1 “I have spent less time than I should with either family and friends or doing
schoolwork because of the time I spend on my mobile” (% of children who use a
mobile phone)
JAPAN
(n=574) 7.8 25.1 34.2 32.9
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 35.1 26.1 17.8 21.0
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 20.8 22.8 17.1 39.3
HONDURAS
(n=795) 18.7 25.5 30.1 13.6 12.1
AVERAGE
(n=2456) 20.0 24.9 9.7 20.1 25.3
36
Figure 8-8-1 “Ihave tried unsuccessfully to spend less time on my mobile”

JAPAN
(n=574) 6.1 26.7 31.4 35.8
BAHRAIN
(n=495) 24.2 25.9 25.9 24.0
PHILIPPINES
(n=592) 28.1 26.4 19.3 26.2
HONDURAS
(n=795) 20.8 21.3 33.9 12.1 11.9
AVERAGE
(n=2456) 19.8 24.7 11.0 21.1 23.4
37
8.9 Rules set by parents on children’s mobile phone use

One way of alleviating parent’s concerns about their do on their phone. Figure 8-9-1 shows that nearly 70
child’s mobile phone use is to have family agreements per cent of parents whose children use mobile phones
or parental rules specifying what they are allowed to have such agreements or rules.
Figure 8-9-1 Percentage of parents introducing rules for mobile phone use by country
(% of parents whose child has his/her own mobile phone)
100%
80%
81.5
67.5 68.1 69.2

60% 62.6
40%
20%
0%
(n=557) (n370) (n=529) (n=771) (n=2227)
Yes, we set rules
The most common type of rules set by parents was “when and how long for the child may use the mobile phone”,
followed by “where the child may use the mobile phone”.
38
Figure 8-10-1 Rules set by parents on their children’s mobile phone use by country
(% of parents who determined the rules for their child’s use of a mobile phone)
100%
85.9
85.9
0%
60%
61.5
59.8
59.3
57.3
55.5
54.8
53.4
48.3
45.5
40%
44.0
41.2
38.8
38.3
37.8
36.4
35.7
35.7
26.1
26.6
20%
23.7
17.9
11.9
7.9
0%
(n=376) (n=252) (n=431) (n=483) (n=1542)
When and how long for the child may use the mobile phone
Where the child may use the mobile phone
Cost (limit of use)
Which functions of the mobile phone the child may use
Whom the child may contact using the mobile phone
8.11 Use of parental control settings on a child’s mobile phone

Technological controls (often referred to as ‘parental Overall, 38.4 per cent of parents said that they have
controls’) such as filtering and usage controls, enable some form of parental control settings activated on
parents to restrict children’s mobile phone use. their children’s mobile phones. Use is highest for the
However, it should be noted that these services may Philippines at 46.2 per cent, and lowest for Bahrain at
not be available to every family in all countries. 21.9 percent.
39
Figure 8-11-1 ercentage of parents who use parental control by country

P
(% of parents whose child has his/her own mobile phone)
50%
46.2
40%
40.6 40.3
38.4
30%
20% 21.9
10%
0%
(n=557) (n370) (n=431) (n=771) (n=2129)
Yes, I use it
Content filtering is the most common type of control setting and is used by 67.9 per cent of parents who have
activated parental controls on their child’s phone. The usage rate is highest for Japan at 85 per cent and lowest for
Bahrain at 50.6 per cent.
Figure 8-12-1 Types of parental control used by parents by country

(% of parents who use parental control)
100%
85.0
80%
67.9
65.6
60%
59.1
50.6
40%
39.8
35.9
30.8
29.8
28.4
25.4
20%
18.5
17.8
13.7
9.0
0%
(n=226) (n=81) (n=198) (n=331) (n=816)
Content filters Usage controls Family locator
40
41
To download the PDF report please visit the
GSMA website at www.gsma.com/myouth
GSMA HEAD OFFICE

Floor 2
The Walbrook Building
25 Walbrook
London
EC4N 8AF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)207 356 0600
Fax: +44 (0)20 7356 0601
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2 SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 3

3 CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES: AN OVERVIEW 6

4 CHILDREN’S USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND THE INTERNET 11

6 SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES (SNS) 21

8 DIGITAL LITERACY, PARENTAL CONTROLS AND CHILDREN’S WELLBEING 32

Table 1-1-1 Survey Summaries

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS

2.1 Key findings by chapter

Chapter 3: Children and mobile phones: an overview

• 10 years is the most common age for children

Chapter 4: Children’s use of mobile phones and the internet

Chapter 5: Mobile apps: download and use

• The most popular apps used by children are

Chapter 6: Social networking services (SNS)

• Nearly 60 per cent of children have over 100 friends

Chapter 8: Digital literacy, parental controls and children’s wellbeing

CHILDREN AND MOBILE PHONES:

Key findings of children

3.1 Mobile phone use and age of first ownership

Average Japan Philippines Honduras

Average Japan Philippines Honduras

3.2 Types of mobile phones used

Feature phones: Have multiple functions in

Basic phone Feature phone Smartphone

Average Japan Philippines Honduras

3.3 Tablet use

Figure 3-3-1 Tablet usage by country (% of all children surveyed)

Honduras is “% of children who use a mobile phone.”

CHILDREN’S USE OF MOBILE PHONES

This increases to 97 per cent

4.1 Mobile internet use

Mobile phone and smartphone total Smartphone

Figure 4-1-2 Mobileinternet penetration rate by country and age

Average Japan Philippines Honduras

4.2 Internet content accessed from mobile phones

Play internet games on

60% Obtain information

or work (e.g. for learning,

courses, skill training, or

10% school work)

Watch short videos

4.3 Use of pre-installed mobile phone functions

Figure 4-3-1 Use of pre-installed features and services by country

5.1 Mobile apps: Downloads and use by type

Figure 5-1-1 Child smartphone users who download/use apps by country

Figure 5-1-2 Mobile apps use by age and country

Average Japan Philippines Honduras

5.2 Types of app used (content used)

Figure 5-2-1 Types of apps used by country

Entertainment Communication Information Education and learning Fitness and health

5.3 Children who download or use paid apps

Figure 5-3-1 Children who download or use paid apps by country

Figure 5-3-2 Children who download or use paid apps by age

5.4 Children and parents who read terms and conditions/

Figure 5-4-1 Children

Figure 5-5-1 Level of understanding of the terms and conditions/permissions by country

No, I do not read the Terms & Conditions/App permissions

SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES (SNS)

of children using mobile phones

6.1 Social networking services use rate

Figure 6-1-1 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by country

8 DIGITAL LITERACY, PARENTAL CONTROLS AND CHILDREN’S WELLBEING 32

• 10 years is the most common age for children

• The most popular apps used by children are

• Nearly 60 per cent of children have over 100 friends

Figure 3-3-1 Tablet usage by country (% of all children surveyed)

Figure 4-1-2 Mobileinternet penetration rate by country and age

Figure 4-3-1 Use of pre-installed features and services by country

Figure 5-1-1 Child smartphone users who download/use apps by country

Figure 5-1-2 Mobile apps use by age and country

Figure 5-2-1 Types of apps used by country

Figure 5-3-1 Children who download or use paid apps by country

Figure 5-3-2 Children who download or use paid apps by age

5.4 Children and parents who read terms and conditions/

Figure 5-4-1 Children

Figure 5-5-1 Level of understanding of the terms and conditions/permissions by country

Figure 6-1-1 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by country

6.3 Use of social networking services on mobile phones by

Figure 6-3-1 Use

Figure 6-4-1 Number of children’s social network contacts by country

Figure 6-6-1 Connections with parents by country

6.7 Relationships with close friends

Figure 7-1-1 Children’s privacy settings on social networking services by country

Figure 7-4-1 Use of Password/PIN features by country

Figure 8-8-1 “Ihave tried unsuccessfully to spend less time on my mobile”

Figure 8-11-1 ercentage of parents who use parental control by country

Figure 8-12-1 Types of parental control used by parents by country