Average child will spend over 143 hours gazing at screens this summer

Children will be spending much of the summer holidays glued to a screen, according to findings by Galt Toys.

In fact, the average child will be spending 143 hours and 36 minutes during the summer break either playing computer games, watching TV or fiddling on phones.

A total of 2,000 UK parents took part in the study, with one in three parents saying they believe their child may be addicted to the screen gadgets.

Managing Director for Galt Toys, John McDonnell said: “The results show that there is a very real concern from parents regarding the amount of time their children spend staring at screens and the impact it’s having on their moods and lifestyle overall.

“While there is no doubting the benefit of technology in enriching modern children’s lives, it is also wise to be aware of the dangers of over exposure to screens and a reliance on gadgets that remove the need for proper social interaction.”

Six in ten parents use the TV or games console as a baby sitter on rainy days and thirty per cent say they are ‘forced’ to do this because there is nothing else for them to do.