Life

Survey shows children in Taiwan prefer Internet to exercise

• Publication Date：06/29/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  June Tsai

Children in Taiwan spend more time online than they do taking part in sports, according to a survey released by the nonprofit organization Cyber Angel’s Pick June 28.

Youngsters between the ages of 9 and 15 use the Internet an average of 14.21 hours a week, compared to only 11.3 hours exercising, the poll found.

The typical household has two computers with Internet connections, and the average child spends 1.43 hours a day online during weekdays, and 3.53 hours on weekends. Twenty-two percent of respondents said they go online to play games, while 15.6 percent reported using the Internet for research and 15.1 percent to meet people, through social media such as instant messengers or Facebook.

The survey also showed that students tend to trust the virtual identities of people they come to know online.

Huang Wei-wei, CAP executive director and professor in the College of Communication at National Chengchi University, said students need to adjust the way they use their time.

Parents are advised to pay attention to their children’s online behavior to prevent their being scammed or even endangered, and help create a safe cyber environment, she said. She suggested that parents set time limits for computer use, and arrange more outdoor activities for their children, especially with summer vacation approaching.

The survey was conducted using questionnaires and targeted students from third to ninth grade in 103 elementary and junior high schools throughout Taiwan. (THN)