Report: Younger Kids Asking for Electronic Devices

NORTH
HOLLYWOOD, November 24: The top three tech toys on kids' wish lists are Nintendo Wii, an iPod and digital cameras, according to a new report from Disney Family.com,
which has set up a "Get Plugged In" resource to provide parents with tips on
getting gadgets for their kids.

As children
continue to ask for more and more new gadgets at younger ages, Disney
Family.com has created an online tech timeline to help parents understand what
technology is appropriate for kids of all ages.

"After
reviewing the survey findings and reading the conversations parents are having
on Disney Family.com, it's clear that parents are welcoming technology into
their children's lives, but aren't sure how to make the experience safe and
secure," said Emily Smith, the VP of Disney Online's family group of
sites. "To address parents' concerns and answer some of their questions,
we developed the 'Get Plugged In' resource on Disney Family.com and enlisted
technology experts to help guide parents to make the best technology
decisions."

The
survey revealed that only 7 percent of parents, when asked about their family's
technology use, said they typically buy the latest and greatest gadgets and 53
percent said they choose to buy new technology when prices drop. Additionally,
83 percent said access to new technology in school has opened new worlds of
possibilities for their children and only 29
percent of respondents opposed having the U.S. government subsidize computers
for families even if it means raising taxes.

Disney Family.com's survey
also found that while 80 percent of respondents are
worried about online safety, 26 percent of respondents' children age 8 or
younger are allowed to access the Internet alone. Forty-nine percent of
respondents identified the Internet as their first source of information about
online safety.

—By
Kristin Brzoznowski