Mobile Device Use in Children Aged 0-11 Years-Surveys in the Netherlands and Spain

While relevant for public health policy-making, little information is currently available about children's usage of mobile devices and on the activities performed with these devices. This paper presents results of two surveys conducted in the Netherlands and one in Spain about the activities children perform on mobile devices (Netherlands: 0-11 years, Spain: 3-11 years). Parents reported in questionnaires the type and duration of activities performed by children with different device types (smartphone, tablet, laptop). Descriptive analyses stratified by different socio-demographic variables are reported. Cluster analyses were conducted to explore patterns of usage. Results show that even young children (0-2 years old) perform some activity, usually calling or video streaming. The number and the duration of activities were highest among the older children (9-11 years). The kind of activities children perform changes with age, with some activities emerging early, such as video streaming, and others later, like videogaming. Cluster analysis shows that gender differences may already exist in the 0-2 years old range, with girls performing more calling activities than boys. These results can inform future studies and policy making on long-term effects of mobile devices exposure and on psychological and mental health. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2026. © 2026 Bioelectromagnetics Society.