Youngsters are shunning books and outdoor games to spend up to six hours a day in front of a screen, a survey has revealed.
Children as young as five are turning their bedrooms into multi-media ‘hubs’ with TVs, computers, games consoles, MP3 players and mobile phones all within easy reach.
The trend triggered warnings that the next generation will struggle to compete in the adult world because they lack reading and writing skills.
At the same time their mastery of technology is not widely appreciated by their parents.
The market research involving 1,800 children aged five to 16 found that they spend an average of 2.7 hours a day watching TV, 1.5 on the internet and 1.3 playing on games consoles, although in some cases these activities are simultaneous, such as watching TV while playing on a console.
In contrast, youngsters spend just over half an hour reading books, according to the survey by ChildWise.
Almost a third take a games console to bed rather than a book, while a quarter never read in their own time.
And instead of kicking a football around, more than a quarter of boys regularly meet in an online games ‘environment’ where they discuss tactics and technical problems.
Parents justified internet access on the grounds that it would help with homework but the survey found education had become an ‘afterthought’, with only 9 per cent of youngsters looking up information for schoolwork the last time they went online.
In contrast, 34 per cent played games, 32 per cent used instant messaging, 31 per cent visited a social networking site and 28 per cent watched video clips on sites such as YouTube.
More than half of children now have their own PC or laptop and a third say their computer is the single piece of equipment they could least live without, compared with a declining number - one in five - who name TV.
A report on the findings from ChildWise concluded that many youngsters were ‘leaving traditional books behind’ but were caught in a ‘communications trap’.
It said: ‘Their online abilities often exceed those of their parents’ generation, but this is not necessarily recognised or valued.
‘Their conventional reading and writing skills are frequently criticised and their limited experience and expertise in this area makes it harder for them to compete in an adult-dominated world.’
Rosemary Duff, research director of ChildWise, said: ‘They are a generation abandoning print and paper.’
Most of the defenses in the comments seem to revolve around the idea that “well, there are worse things they could be doing than spending six hours-a-day on the computer.” Which is true, I suppose. But not very compelling. And it seems like a bit of a false dichotomy. “We don’t want kids working the streets, so we have to let them spend all their time on computers.
Right.
Ray Gunner’s got a semi-like-minded PIECE from Michael Waldstein.
Sean and Dominic discussing the adventures of Odysseus:
Sean
I would NOT have jumped off the boat.
Dominic
Yes, you would. Everyone who heard the Sirens jumped off the boat.
Sean
Yeah, well, not me.
Sean (Imitating fire engine, presumably)
Wooooo! WOOOOOOWooooo!!!
Sean (Cont.)
I don’t see YOU jumping anywhere!
Dominic
Well, the Greeks jumped!
They move off down the hallway, Sean continuing his high pitched wailing, punctuated by “Are you jumping yet? Shall I tie you to the mast?”
It was an amazing experience. Tons and tons of pictures, tons and tons of silence. I sort of fell like I’ve been on a three week retreat. Could have stayed out a bit longer…
…I sure am glad to see my wife and kids again, though.
In my defense…
OK, so that’s not really a defense. I was just hoping to distract everyone through the absurd level of cuteness I could throw at them.
Better try again…
I was trying to duplicate Duck’s TRICK on these, and was intrigued by what the “Zoom & Contrast” brought out. Jen said it was like a STEREOGRAPH.
It got warm very suddenly. Almost too warm yesterday. It was over 80, if my thermometer is to be trusted. (The one on the house, that is. The one in the van is sure that it’s 67.)
