More Youngsters Are Going Digital

Some think digital will only become fully accepted on campus when youngsters begin using the devices full-time. That point may be approaching quickly.

A new report from The NPD Group found that 71% of households with children ages 4-14 own a smartphone and their usage of the device has gone up from 21% in 2012 to 35% in 2014. The survey, Kids and CE: 2014, also noted that ownership of media tablets rose from 21% in 2012 to 43% in 2014.

Children using smartphones and tablets in the home has led schools to adopt more bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies. IT leaders are also working on new network strategies to accommodate the increase in demand.

In one instance, EdTech reported on a Maryland school district that upgraded its network capabilities to support more than 65,000 mobile devices. In another, a district in Texas developed a network policy to allow kids to use their own devices or ones supplied by the schools.