Minors are generally technologically savvy and intense users of ICT applications, a survey published by the Malta Communications Authority has confirmed.
The survey was carried out earlier this year among years 4 to 6 primary and forms 1 to 4 secondary school students and their parents and gauged ICT access, use, and usage intensity.
The study shows that almost all respondents (98%) have a computer connected to the Internet at home. While playing games over the internet remains popular among the primary students, older secondary students appear to prefer applications that facilitate social interaction such as networking sites, chatting, messaging and video calling.
Facebook is the most popular social networking site amongst students with 90% of secondary form 3 and 4 students (13 to 15 years) claiming to have an account. A total 41% of primary years 4, 5 and 6 (8 to 11 years) claimed to have a Facebook account, disregarding the age restriction (13 years) to join the network.
Generally, parents and their children demonstrate an awareness of the potential risks that the internet may present and have shown a level of discretion with regard to whom they engage with and what messages they post online. Nevertheless, a considerable number of students and parents appear overconfident and perhaps too trusting in the virtual world.