FROM iPad to iPhone to iFamily — new research reveals the average Australian household has up to eight internet-connectable devices.

Some have more than 20 smartphones, tablets and computers — often used simultaneously — the exclusive research by technology research company Telsyte has found.

“Multi-screening is on the rise, with 58 per cent of Australians using a device like a smartphone or tablet while watching TV,” managing director Foad Fadaghi said. “Being on two devices at once is very common.”

The study of 1018 Australians found 18 per cent had more than one tablet.

“Some families have up to four tablets all in working order but tend to pass them down as they get newer models, ”Mr Fadaghi said. “We know the average household has seven to eight internet-connected devices but there are absolutely ones that have over 20.”

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Australian Council on Children and the Media president Elizabeth Handsley said that it wasn’t uncommon for every member of a family to have an electronic handheld device.

“A lot of people feel it’s a shame if families aren’t communicating face-to-face but you have to assume they are at other points of the day,” she said.

Parents should take an active role in children’s screen time, which should be less than two hours per day, she said.

Central Coast communications worker Scott Tracey shares 10 electronic devices with his family of four — three iPhones, four iPads, two laptops and one computer. “We’re not completely anti-social — the kids get home from school, do their homework and play outside until dark but when the sun goes down they need something to do, and playing educational games is better than watching TV,” he said.