COMMENT

Teenagers are far more likely to ask for a bank transfer from their parents for a trip to the cinema than asking for cash, a study has claimed.

Half of under 18s who have a current account with Halifax are now doing so online, the report found, while online and mobile banking among Halifax customers aged 11 to 18 has increased by 40 per cent in just two years.

The study found that on average, teenagers bank online 12 times per month – with 90 per cent of log-ons coming via a mobile phone. Just one in ten log-ons are made via ipads, tablets or desktop.

Internet Matters, which co-authored the report with Halifax, said that more than two thirds of parents are concerned about their children facing fraudulent activity online. Meanwhile, a similar number of parents worry about their children sharing personal information with a stranger or were concerned about them having their identity stolen online.

Carolyn Bunting, chief executive of online safety group Internet Matters, said: “Children are growing up in a digital age so it’s important that

“Children are growing up in a digital age so it’s important that children and young adults know how to protect themselves”

CAROLYN BUNTING