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Screen addiction

As more children spend long periods in front of the television or computer, what are the effects on their social skills and family life? Karen Faux investigates There's a lot going on behind closed doors, according to a new survey from Lloyds TSB. British children are now estimated to own a staggering 28bn worth of electronic equipment in their rooms, and the age at which they are becoming hooked on solitary screen pursuits appears to be getting younger.

There's a lot going on behind closed doors, according to a new survey from Lloyds TSB. British children are now estimated to own a staggering 28bn worth of electronic equipment in their rooms, and the age at which they are becoming hooked on solitary screen pursuits appears to be getting younger.

The implications of the survey go beyond Lloyds' desire to boost the amount of home insurance its customers take out. Its findings compound fears that family life is becoming less cohesive and that children are becoming anti-social, spending long periods in their bedrooms engaged in activities that their parents know little about.

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