Parents are filling their back-to-school shopping list with technology according to a recent survey of 800 parents of school age children by Asurion, the connected life services company. Parents stated they plan to purchase calculators (50%), tablets (32%), laptops (29%) and mobile phones (23%) before the start of school this fall.
While back-to-school shopping lists still include things like new clothes, paper and binders, technology is now also a staple in many classrooms, with nearly 30 percent of parents reporting their child is required to bring a tablet or laptop to school. While technology is not required in all schools, 60 percent of parents reported that use of personal technology is allowed in their child’s school.
But laptops and tablets are not the only tech purchase this season. Nearly a quarter of parents surveyed plan to buy their child a cellphone before heading back-to-school, and two thirds of them will be purchasing their child’s very first phone. Roughly a third of children who will receive their first phone are between 5-10 years old, while nearly half of the children getting a phone this back-to-school season are between the ages of 11 and 14.
“Classrooms have become increasingly connected, and as such students rely on their technology to succeed,” said Bettie Colombo, Asurion spokesperson. “Parents are investing a lot in their child’s school supplies and we know how hard kids can be on their tablets, laptops and phones. Savvy parents know the best way to ensure their students’ new technology lasts all year is with a protection plan from their retailer or wireless carrier.”
Ask your retailer or wireless carrier about protection plans for your back to school tech, or visit Asurion.com.