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Survey of Children 2012–2013:

Girls use the Internet more than boys

Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2014-06-10 9.30

Girls spend more time on the Internet than boys. On a normal day, nearly every other girl aged 16–18 uses the Internet for at least three hours. However, more boys than girls spend considerable time on computer games.

30 percent of the girls and 23 percent of the boys aged 10–18 spend at least three hours per day on the Internet. Among both girls and boys, it is mainly the older children who spend a lot of time on the Internet. Among those who are aged 16–18, 44 percent use the Internet at least three hours per day, which can be compared to 8 percent for those who are aged 10–12.

It has become more common to spend a lot of time on the Internet; in 2012–13, 27 percent of the children spend at least three hours per day on the Internet, compared to 18 percent in 2009/10.

Use the Internet/play computer games at least three hours a day. Children aged 10–18, 2012–2013

Chart

Source: Living Conditions Survey of Children, Statistics Sweden

Boys play more computer games than girls

Roughly one in five boys (22 percent) play computer games at least three hours per day, compared to 1 in 20 girls (5 percent).

It is more common among older boys than among younger ones to play computer games at least three hours per day. For those who are aged 16–18, the share is 27 percent, compared to 14 percent among those aged 10–12.

New statistics on children

All information from the Living Conditions Survey of Children 2012–2013 is now available. Among other things, the information concerns children's health, situation in school, spare time, media habits and household chores they help out with.

Definitions and explanations

Estimated percentages on the Internet above are based on the question about how many hours do children use the Internet on a normal weekday (e-mail, chat or surfing). There are five answers to choose from and these are presented as those who answered "3–4 hours a day" or "5 hours a day".

Estimated percentages on playing are based on the question about how many hours they play computer games on a normal weekday. The answer alternatives are the same as in the question about Internet use and are also presented here as "3–4 hours a day" or "5 hours a day".

Statistical Database

More information is available in the Statistical Database

Feel free to use the facts from this statistical news but remember to state Source: Statistics Sweden.

Statistical agency and producer

Statistics Sweden, Population and Economic Welfare Statistics Unit

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Helena Rudander

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helena.rudander@scb.se