It’s a scene familiar to any parent: a fidgety child, mesmerized by the vibrant screens and tapping away, their tiny fingers deftly navigating apps and websites. But according to a new study from Ofcom, the media regulator, this is no longer just a phenomenon among tweens and teens. Around a quarter of 5-7-year-olds now own a smartphone, and a staggering three-quarters use a tablet or computer.

The annual report, which delves into children’s relationship with the digital realm, reveals a stark increase in the number of young kids going online to send messages, make calls, and even live-stream content. A whopping 65 percent of those aged 5-7 now engage in such activities, a 6 percent rise from the previous year. Meanwhile, half of them watch live-streamed content, up from a modest 39 percent.

But perhaps the most alarming statistic is the increasing use of social media platforms among this tender age group. A startling 38 percent are said to be active on sites like WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Discord – a blatant violation of the age restrictions imposed by these services, which mandate users to be at least 13 years old.

The study also exposes a concerning disconnect between parental awareness and children’s online activities. While 42 percent of parents claimed to engage with social media alongside their children, nearly a third admitted that their offspring used these platforms independently, without supervision.

Even more worrying is the growing acceptance among parents of allowing their children to have social media profiles before reaching the minimum age. The report notes a 5 percent increase in this trend, with 30 percent of parents now more inclined to grant their younger children access to these platforms prematurely.

Ofcom’s report paints a sobering picture: “While parental concerns in some areas have increased considerably, their enforcement of rules appears to be diminishing, in part perhaps because of resignation about their ability to intervene in their children’s online lives.”

It further acknowledges that while parents generally still see positives in their children being online, concerns around certain aspects remain. “We’ve asked for many years about whether parents feel that the benefits of their child going online outweigh the risks,” the report states. “Over the period, although parents have on balance felt positive, there has been an increase in uncertainty.”

Notably, when the question was reframed in 2022 to differentiate between gaming, social media, and general online activities, parents regarded their child’s gaming and use of social media as riskier than beneficial. However, a majority – 57 percent of parents of 5-15-year-olds – still believed that being online in general was advantageous for their child.

As Ofcom prepares to launch a consultation on its draft children’s safety code of practice for tech firms, mandated by the forthcoming Online Safety Act, these findings underscore the urgency of addressing the issue. The code will outline how platforms are expected to protect younger users, with non-compliance potentially resulting in massive fines or even imprisonment for company bosses.

Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Michelle Donelan, emphasizes the significance of the Act, stating, “Children as young as five should not be accessing social media, and these stark findings show why our Online Safety Act is essential.”

She further warns, “Most platforms say they do not allow under-13s onto their sites, and the Act will ensure companies enforce these limits or they could face massive fines. If they fail to comply with Ofcom decisions and keep children safe, their bosses could face prison.”

Donelan affirms the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the youngest members of the digital age, declaring, “Protecting children online is our number one priority, and we will not hesitate to build on the Act to keep them safe.”

This article was originally published on April 19, 2024, at 3:30 am ET.