17 September 2010

Technology-savvy students preparing to fly the nest to University are relying heavily on social media and email to communicate with their parents. Compare gadget insurance now to ensure your loved one

Technology-savvy students preparing to fly the nest to University are relying heavily on social media and email to communicate with their parents. Compare gadget insurance now to ensure your loved one

Technology-savvy students preparing to fly the nest to University are relying heavily on social media and email to communicate with their parents. Compare gadget insurance now to ensure your loved ones' expensive communication tools are protected.

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A study by Endsleigh found parents are increasingly relying on Facebook to keep tabs on their children with 75 percent admitting to regularly checking their profiles. Interestingly, however, only 36 percent of the 18-25 year olds surveyed are actually friends with their parents on the popular social network site.

A further 72 percent of the students studied who had left home now use the internet to communicate with their parents, 36 percent via email, 23 percent via social media and 13 percent through Skype.

Mobile phones are slightly less popular with 7 percent using their handsets to call home and 6 percent to send text messages to their parents.

"Access to a computer or laptop is increasingly becoming essential as a way of keeping in contact with family, so it is all the more important that those essential items are protected," said Aaron Porter, NUS President.

"Parents can often help achieve peace of mind by ensuring insurance cover and anti-virus software are covered, reducing worry at an already stressful time."

Despite the rise in the internet and social media as forms of communication with home, more young people are getting homesick, 62 percent confessed to missing home when they first left compared to 55 percent of the 45 year olds who were asked the same question about when they first left home.

It seems young people need the emotional support of parents with 67 percent confessing that the main reason they contact home is for a general catch up while only 13 percent admitted it was to ask for money.

"Nothing can replace the comfort of the human voice, which is why so many students still need to ring home for a regular catch up," added Christine Webber, relationship expert.

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Another recent Endsleigh report showed the new term will see 94 percent of students taking a laptop, six percent a computer and on average will carry around £1,3 worth of goods on them around campus.

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