54% of nine-year-olds now own a mobile phone

There has been an increase in the percentage of nine-year-olds who have their own mobile phone — up from 44% of that age group in 2007/8 to 54% now. File Picture: iStock

Nine-year-olds play less sport, are less involved in regular cultural activities, spend more time online, and are more likely to own a mobile phone than was the case previously, according to the latest tranche of data from the Growing Up in Ireland survey.

The survey has found that families are also more likely to be educated to a higher level, more diverse, and enjoy greater closeness between parents and their children.