Tech

Study: Kids are getting their first cell phone before they can drive

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Would you buy your 10-year-old kid a cell phone? That's when the majority of kids are getting their hands on their own phone, according to a study by Influence Central, a marketing agency.

The company surveyed 500 women in early 2016 to determine the effect that technology and smart devices have on families.

In Influence Central's 2012 version of the survey, which collected data from about 1,000 woman, children reportedly received their first cellphone between the ages of 10 and 12, according to a company spokeswoman.

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Some 50 percent of respondents to the most recent survey reported that their children created a social media account before the age of 12.

Some 77 percent of kids with accounts use Facebook and Instagram, 49 percent are on Twitter and 47 percent are sharing photos and videos on Snapchat.

While children's presence on social media is growing, adult supervision has dipped. In 2012, 49 percent of parents reported having strict limits on where and when their kids could use their electronics. This year, about 41 percent have set limits.

However, the percentage of parents who are using programs to block or filter sites from their children's devices has risen to 27 percent, compared to 23 percent four years ago.

Similarly, more parents are utilizing the GPS features on their children's phones. Some 15 percent of moms and dads are tracking their kids' devices, up from 7 percent in 2012.