Under-fives use internet half an hour a day

Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board commissioned the research as part of efforts to promote internet safety.

Its survey of 219 households with young children found that a significant proportion of under-fives are using computers and mobile phones that can access the internet.

The report said that it was reassuring that the majority visited child-friendly websites such as CBeebies or Peppa Pig when online, but added that parents should still be cautious about risks, such as cyber-bullying and commercial exploitation.

Jim Gould, independent chair of the safeguarding board, said, 'The internet has become central to the lives of all children and has brought many benefits. But we know that children can come to harm through use of computers and mobile phones, and we have a responsibility to ensure they behave safely when online.'

He added, 'It is our role to ensure we promote safe behaviours online and support parents in regulating and monitoring their children's online use from an early age, and we are at the forefront of research and development work in this area.'

Dr John Siraj-Blatchford, honorary professor at the University of Swansea Centre for Child Research, said, 'There is very little on the internet that is suitable for a four-year-old child to operate on their own, so the crucial point is that there should be an adult sat next to the child while he or she is online. Using the internet can be a rich interaction if there is an adult sitting next to the child - it can be as valuable as a reading session.

'An American study found that for young children, using a computer was associated with better outcomes later on. However, when the study factored in children using the computer in the presence of an adult, it was associated with a strong improvement in outcomes.'