26% of 11-16 year olds use 5 or more social networks

As the world moves online, a new study highlights the growing social status of 11-16 year olds, with over a quarter of them now using five or more social networks at any one time.

The Research Bods survey of 1,004 young people was conducted to coincide with Internet Safety Day – an EU initiative to “create a better internet together” with a particular emphasis on the protection of kids.

According to the study, YouTube was the most popular digital service, within 78% of respondents claiming to use the app, Facebook landed in second place with 74% of kids active on the social tool.

The increasingly popular Snapchat trailed in third place (46%) followed by Instagram (43%) and Twitter (37%).

Marc Durando, executive director of European Schoolnet, said: “The theme of ‘Let’s create a better internet together’ reflects how public and private stakeholders should come together to build a trusted digital environment for all.

“An online place where children and young people feel empowered to develop and express their views and ideas, in an open and respectful dialogue with parents, carers and educators, with policy makers and industry.”

The impressive stats underline the diffusion of youngsters’ online activity across a range of tools – making it increasingly important for marketers to engage with younger consumers in a sensitive and meaningful way.