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Children as young as 11 are being taken into care over fears they are addicted to ­gaming.

A Mirror investigation found 13 kids were removed from families due to concerns over computer use. It is thought to be the first intervention of its kind.

Behavioural addiction specialist Professor Mark Griffiths warned: “This problem is increasing.”

Parents have been urged to look for the warning signs of gaming addiction in their children as a result of the revelations.

Experts claim the problem is ­widespread, with affected youngsters lagging behind at school and snubbing friends as they shut themselves away while glued to a screen around the clock.

And a Mirror investigation found 13 children were put in care over a two-month period. One was just 11. But the figure is likely to be much higher.

Some kids become hooked because parents allow them unlimited access to their computers, it is claimed.

(Image: Getty)

Nottingham Trent University ­behavioural ­addiction specialist Professor Griffiths warned: “This problem is increasing.

"People are now being taken in to care because of their gaming and I am not surprised. What I’m talking about is ­children mainly between eight and 18.

“If there is parental responsibility ­children wouldn’t have unfettered access around the clock.

"We are talking about gaming that takes over a child’s life to the neglect of all else.

“Children will be on age-­inappropriate games as well. There is evidence that those who already have a predisposition to be aggressive or violent will gravitate towards these sorts of violent games.

"If parents think their ­children are addicted then they should get a referral to a clinical psychologist.”

Signs of addiction include a gradual loss of interest in all other activities and hobbies. Many kids go through ­personality changes.

Outgoing teens no longer want to spend time with friends and family, instead prioritising online interaction with fellow “gamers”.

Data released under Freedom of ­Information revealed youngsters from Yorkshire, Merseyside, London, ­Gloucestershire and the Isle of Wight were removed.

(Image: Getty)

They are thought to be the first cases of their kind. Some went into care because their parents were addicted to games and ended up neglecting them.

The 11-year-old was removed by Wakefield council in West Yorkshire.

Gaming addiction has been recognised as a mental health condition by the World Health ­Organisation.

But UK doctors last month came under fire refusing to issue guidance on an overall daily screen time limit, saying it was up to parents to judge.

TV’s Kirstie Allsopp admitted smashing her two sons’ iPads when they broke her rules on gaming screen time.