I recently attended the Westminster eForum - UK Kids Online. The focus was on learning how kids are using online media and the digital divide growing between those with internet access and those without especially socially disadvantaged groups.

Over 100 people attended ranging from content providers like the BBC, Disney, BSkyB and Channel 4 to NGO’s, Government policy makers, school head teachers, educationalists and academics.

A number of presentations were made by various speakers and at panel sessions. Q&A after each session helped shape the discussions.

Highlights from presentations:

Professor Sonia Livingstone overviewed her work with the www.eukidsonline.net. This is an 18 country research project tracking the use of digital media across the EU. She presented data showing that internet usage rates across Europe varied from 25% (in Greece and Bulgaria) to over 80% (Netherlands and Sweden).

She mentioned research from Pew showing that 18 – 25 year olds (Generation X) use mobile phone texts daily to keep in touch. This was twice the rate of 26 – 40 year olds. 18 - 25 year olds are the ‘Look at Me’ generation with 40% having personal profiles on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. They use these tools to keep in touch and make new friends.

She also presented research on the size of social networks reported by 13 – 18 year olds.

·         75 Social Networking site friends

·         52 Instant Messaging friends

·         38 Mobile phone text friends

Reem Nouss, Head of News, Factual and Learning at the CBBC and Dr. Rachel O’Connell, Head of Corporate and Social Responsibility at Bebo both talked about interactivity and engagement. Whereas Bebo is a social media platform it is interesting to see how the BBC as a traditional content provider is opening itself up to audience generated materials.

The CBBC programme and interactive web site level up was discussed. This mixes a traditional TV programme with audience generated input and content together with participation and presentation. Its target is very much the pre and early teenage market.

Bebo is moving forward with Bebobeone where they are looking to engage with their audience through 4 core areas – inspiration (learning zone), wellness (health), enrichment (career and work experience) and causes (citizenship and social participation). Bebo users tend to be 14 - mid to late 20's.

James Downey, student, aged 12 gave his experience of using the internet. He uses it to play games, source information for homework, keep in touch with friends via e-mail, download music via iTunes, watch videos via YouTube and listen/watch podcasts. He also is getting more interested in eBay where he can look at things related to his hobbies. He still loves books and magazines. Whilst he would consume content online he does like a book to read too. He likes the internet better than newspapers or TV/radio news as you can link to other information or research more detail. You can tell friends and be all actively looking at the same thing. He does not create content himself but no others that do. He felt fashions change fast and is not clear how people older or younger than him use social media or other software and services. He spends an hour or two per day on internet social activities but sometimes does nothing for a few days.