Children’s computer skills outstrip ability to tie shoelaces

Today’s primary school children are better at operating computers than telling the time or tying their shoelaces, a survey suggests.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Sep 2011, 07:00 BST

Almost nine in 10 (86 per cent) five to seven-year-olds can operate a computer, with 97 per cent able to play a computer game, according to a poll.

But just over half (56 per cent) can tell the time, while less than a third (32 per cent) can tie their own shoelaces, it found. Under two-thirds (60 per cent) can ride a two-wheeled bike. The Kelkoo poll questioned 1,057 parents about their children’s use of technology.

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The results show that almost half of parents (47 per cent) say their child has access to internet-enabled devices.

More than one in five (21 per cent) admit they never use the parental controls on these gadgets.

About one in 12 (eight per cent) say they never research whether the items they buy their children are age appropriate.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) were concerned their child’s use of technology was damaging the ability to create personal relationships; 16 per cent worried that their child’s use of “text speak” was hurting language skills.