It seems like no matter where you look these days, young people are glued to their phones. Buses, movie theatres, restaurants and even classrooms are full of kids texting and snapping pics.

 

Now, the German government is warning that this sea of texting teens are 'addicted' to their smartphones. 

 

A study from the German federal drug agency found that 28 per cent of children in the country are addicted to their mobile device or will be in the future.

 

The study asked a cohort of German paediatricians to collect information on almost 6,000 of their patients. German paediatricians then surveyed the youngsters and their parents about their smartphone and tablet use. 

 

 

Using the results of their study to reflect a national consensus, the experts estimated that 600,000 children show signs of smartphone addiction. They found that while 70 per cent of primary school kids are using smart phones for more than half an hour a day, only ten per cent of kids were monitored when they did so.

 

Scientists even found that the use of smartphones caused disturbances to young people's sleep and feeding patterns. Kids in junior school demonstrated speech development and attention issues.

 

“Children who are left alone too early in the virtual world can develop health problems as a result,” said Marlene Mortler, the federal commissioner for drug-related issues. “Some become hyperactive or aggressive and, in others, it can lead to internet dependency.”

 

 

The study even found that older children often find themselves bored without their digital devices. 70 per cent could only amuse themselves for two hours without reaching for a phone. Researchers also noted a link between excessive phone use and frequently eating sweets.

 

“A significant number of young people had problems to control their own internet use in a self-determined way,” the study said.

 

Motler called for further research into smartphone addiction and added that parents had to take a stronger stance when it came to curbing their kids' smartphone use: “They have to act as a role model in accompanying children in the digital world."

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