Economics?

The BBC report that:

"Spending by children in the UK has hit record levels despite a fall in parents' disposable incomes, research has suggested.

The London School of Economics said spending by young people was now worth £4.89bn to the British economy. "

I am sorry but unless the children are earning that money, and I doubt that they are, then this purely money being recycled from their parents (and other relations & friends). In which case surely the story is that children spend £4.89bn a year of their family's income. This wealth is not generated by the children but by the family or friends who give them the money.

£4.89bn spent by the under 16s who make up around 19% of the UK population. With a national population of around 61,500,000 that is an average spend per child of £79 per annum. However the BBC report it as it

"averages out at more than £10 a week for seven-to-10 year olds and more than £15 a week for 11-to-15 year olds. "

which is £520 - £780 per annum... Am I wrong?