- Children as young as seven are using social media regularly, a survey finds
- Responses from more than 30,000 children also show that most now own a smartphone
- Public health experts say the data is "concerning" and tighter regulation is needed
Children as young as seven and eight are using social media regularly, according to a major survey in Wales.
Responses from more than 32,000 children, aged seven to 11, suggested almost half used social media sites or apps a few times a week or every day.
Most said they had a smartphone - including 43% of year threes, who are seven and eight years old.
Public health experts said the data was “concerning” and showed the need for more regulation.
Children in 354 primary school across Wales took part in the anonymous survey during the last academic year.
Two thirds of year six students said they used social media regularly, compared to just under a third of pupils in year three.
