The average child born today in the UK will have spent almost a quarter of their life watching non-work-related screen technology by the time they reach 80, a new study has claimed.

The inaugural Halifax Insurance Digital Home Index reveals that three-quarters of Brits (73%) would struggle to last one day without devices such as smartphones, laptops and MP3 players.

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Almost a quarter (23%) would feel "uneasy or worried" about switching off their devices, while one in five (19%) would feel concern about "missing out".

Over 22 million of Brits (45%) now use devices to communicate with friends and family even when they are in the same house, while 22% prefer speaking on the phone or via social media rather than face-to-face.

The research found that 12 million (25%) people check technology devices from their beds, and one in ten take theirs into the bathroom. Over 35 million (74%) check emails and social networks before starting work in the morning.

Almost one in ten (9%) respondents use their phone during mealtimes, but that percentage doubles for 18-to-24-years-olds.

Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman suggested that Britain is becoming a nation of 'screen-aholics'.

He said that by the time the average child born today reaches 80, they will have spent a quarter of their life watching non-work-related screen technology.

"As the amount of time spent looking at a screen or plugging in increases, the amount of time spent on direct eye-to-eye contact and developing real-life relationships inevitably decreases," said Dr Sigman.

"By the age of 7 years, the average child born today will have spent one full year of 24-hour days watching screen technology; by the time they reach 80 they will have spent almost 18 years of 24-hour days watching non-work-related screen technology. That's a quarter of their lives."

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Dr Sigman added: "The over-use of technology is an issue affecting all age groups; from young adults, for whom technology is now a central part of life, to parents who will be experiencing both how their over-use of technology affects them individually and how it creates barriers to family interaction.

"We have to remind ourselves that technology should be a tool, not a burden or obstruction, and at the moment it seems the tail is wagging the dog."

The study also revealed that two-thirds of Brits (70%) now store music digitally, and almost half (46%) own digital film content.

People own on average £4,164-worth of technology devices - women own on average £4,058-worth, while males own £4,294 each.

However, more than one in ten were found not to have sufficient insurance, creating a potential £32 billion "insurance black hole".

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