Crime screen

A quarter of kids aged 5 to 7 smartphone own

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

• 34% of three to seven-year-olds use social media

A THIRD of three to seven-year-olds use social media, disturbing figures released today reveal.

The number soars to 60% for eight to 11-year-olds and 90% for those 12 to 17.

The data has been compiled by regulator Ofcom, which is seeking ways to ensure kids are better protected from criminals and dangerous material.

The figures also reveal that a quarter of five to seven-year-olds have a phone and that nearly a third (30%) use Tik Tok while 22% use Instagram.

Tech firms have been accused of failing to enforce age limits, with 40% of eight to 17s admitting using fake ages to get access to a site or app.

Minimum age for most social media platforms is 13 yet half the users are said to be younger.

PM Rishi Sunak is considering tougher restrictions as well as a ban on teens buying smartphones.