Teens who have no access to Internet and cellphones are educationally disadvantaged as the benefits of using such technology far outweigh any perceived risks, a new Oxford study has claimed. While the study reflects a high level of parental anxiety about the potential of social networking sites to distract their offspring, and shows that some parents despair at their children’s tendency to multitask on mobile devices.

However, the research concludes that there are substantial educational advantages in teenagers being able to access the Internet at home.