American Parents Report Massive Device Ownership and Widespread Accidents by Kids: 89 Percent of Households Have Kid-Damaged Devices and Have Spent $11 Billion to Repair or Replace Them

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 11, 2015) - The next generation of smartphone users is getting a head start on device destruction. According to new research from SquareTrade, children are breaking more smartphones, tablets and laptops -- requiring their tech-forward parents to shell out more than $11 billion to repair or replace them.

"Teaching tech etiquette alongside the ABCs and 123s is a smart idea for sanity at home. And for the 89 percent of households whose kids have damaged devices, it makes great financial sense," commented Jessica Hoffman, vice president of global communications for SquareTrade. "Kids as young as toddlers are getting significant doses of screen time, and accident rates are climbing."

• Tablets are Tops: 70 percent of elementary school kids, 65 percent of middle school kids, and 37 percent of toddlers own tablets;
• No Love for Laptops: 58 percent of households report having a damaged laptop;
• Dropping Danger: 55 percent of accidents happen from children accidentally dropping their devices; and
• Blame Game: 20 percent of kids blame someone or something else.

"Kids and devices are quite the popular pairing these days, second only to peanut butter and jelly," continued Hoffman. "As smartphones, tablets and laptops replace dolls and race cars as children's prized possessions, we recommend that parents do their homework on how to best deal with their children's tech habits, or risk having their child on the device dishonor roll."

SquareTrade suggests the following tips for tech-forward homes:

• Careful with the overstuffed, increasingly heavy backpacks. Tablets cannot handle the wear and tear that a book can absorb!
• If headed to the beach or the pool, use a zip lock bag for your smartphone or tablet;
• No eating or drinking when using devices. Sticky liquids are the most dangerous;
• Limit screen time in the car. Siblings fighting can lead to devices flying out of windows; and
• Invest in a protection plan that covers the clumsy drops, juice spills and backpack crushes of daily life.

¹Data Sources:
SquareTrade's 2015 Kids and Device Accidents Study surveyed 2,100 parents who have at least one child age 13 or younger. The online survey was conducted in April 2015 using a top-tier panel provider (Qualtrics) and an independent research company (Honest Data). Survey findings were extrapolated to the entire United States using census information from the Department of Health and Human Services.

About SquareTrade
SquareTrade is a highly rated protection plan trusted by millions of happy customers for its fast and exceptional service. SquareTrade protects mobile devices, laptops and tablets, and other consumer electronics and appliances from malfunctions, accidental damage and life's frequent mishaps. Unlike old-fashioned warranties, SquareTrade is designed for today's consumer and uses innovative technology to deliver a zero hassle claims process. SquareTrade has more than 230,000 fans on Facebook, consistently wins industry awards and receives thousands of 5-star reviews for its legendary customer service. Top retailers around the world offer SquareTrade, achieving significant sales growth and happier customers. Privately held, SquareTrade's investors include Bain Capital and Bain Capital Ventures. SquareTrade is headquartered in San Francisco and London. For more information, go to www.squaretrade.com.

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