More children can play computer games than can ride bikes

The use of smartphones and computers has become ubiquitous among young children. At this point, many kids between the ages of two and five can use these technologies in such large number that it eclipses their ability to do other daily tasks. This includes the ability to ride a bike or tie a pair of shoes. According to security software firm AVG Technologies: 1. More small children can play a computer game than ride a bike. 58% of children aged 2-5 know how to play a ‘basic’ computer game. In Australia it jumps to 66%, just behind the UK and France, while in New Zealand it is 56%. Even 44% of 2-3 year olds have the ability to play a computer game. By comparison, 43% of kids 2-3 can ride a bike

2. More children aged 2-5 can play with a smartphone application (19%) than tie his or her shoelaces (9%). Almost as many 2-3 year olds (17%) can play with a smartphone application as 4-5 year olds (21%)

3. More small children can open a web browser (25%) than swim unaided (20%).

The survey was based on a poll of 2,200 mothers with internet access and with children aged two to five in Australia and New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Japan. Skills varied significantly by country. For example: European children aged 2-5 lead their U.S., Australian and New Zealand counterparts in knowing how to make a mobile phone call (44% in Italy vs. 25% for the U.S.A., 19% in Australia and 18% in New Zealand), playing a computer game (70% U.K. vs. 66% Australia, 61% U.S.A. and 56% New Zealand) and operating a computer mouse (78% France vs. 67% U.S.).

Almost three times as many Australian and USA kids (30%) can operate at least one smartphone or tablet app than their NZ and Japanese counterparts (12% and 11% respectively).

An Italian two-year-old making a phone call? It makes for a very short childhood.