BETHEL, Conn. — Electronic devices are increasingly becoming part of back-to-school purchases, according to a recent Ipsos poll conducted for Duracell.

The Procter & Gamble battery and power solutions brand said Tuesday that of the approximately 1,000 parents surveyed, 70% said their children need more items than what’s on the list provided by the school. And two-thirds of parents cited electronic devices as items that are becoming more common needs for school.

According to Duracell, the survey found that more than 40% of parents say batteries are part of their purchases for the new school year. 

With cell phones a key means of communication between parents and their kids, the poll found that 78% of parents think it’s OK for children to have a cell phone by age 15. Additionally, 90% of parents believe safety is the top reason to allow children to have cell phones.

Still, 63% of parents said they wish their cell phones were easier to keep charged. And the same percentage indicated that children use a dead cell phone battery as an excuse not to communicate with them. 

Duracell noted that it offers such solutions as the Duracell Instant Charger, which provides up to 35 hours of portable reserve power, and the Duracell myGrid wireless charging pad, which is designed to simplify the charging process at home.

"We know that the back-to-school season can be hectic and stressful for families," stated Bob Jacobs, Duracell’s marketing director for North America. "Whether it’s to keep children’s battery-operated electronic devices powered up for use in the classroom or to provide the peace of mind knowing that cell phones are charged up for an emergency, Duracell Smart Power products offer much needed solutions to make the back-to-school time a smooth transition period for parents and kids alike."