How the internet is creating a generation of lonely children

Youngsters spend so much time on solitary pursuits such as computer games, surfing the Internet and listening to MP3 players that they fail to develop social skills.

Many find themselves isolated in the playground, according to the survey of 100 teachers.

Others become anti-social and resort to bullying rather than relating properly to their peers.

More than 70 per cent of teachers questioned for the study by the charity Save the Children said the long hours spent alone with technology had damaged children's ability to socialise.

A third said loneliness among pupils and difficulties in making friends were becoming more common.

Only 5 per cent believed children were getting better at relating to each other.

The survey uncovered high levels of so-called "exclusion bullying", in which children are ignored or left out of friendship groups.

Many teachers also believe verbal abuse of pupils by others is becoming more widespread.

Lorna Redden, the charity's school development manager, said: "This research is showing that use of Internet chatrooms, mobile phone games and that kind of technology is making it harder for children to interact with each other.

"What children do outside school does have an impact.

"If you're just sitting in front of a computer screen when you go home from school, it is not going to help you interact with friends when you go to school.

"Social skills potentially deteriorate as a result and schools are having to work that much harder."

The research found that schools are increasingly using schemes such as "buddy bus stops" - designated places around the school or playground for lonely or miserable children-to sit. Other pupils are then encouraged to "pick them up".

The findings will fuel concerns that childhood is being damaged by modern lifestyles.

An influential coalition of 110 teachers, psychologists and children's authors last year produced a joint statement warning that a mix of computer games, violent TV images, disappearing play areas and marketing was "poisoning" children's lives.

A national inquiry into the state of childhood, led by the Children's Society and Archbishop of Canterbury-is due to report next year.

Today's findings provide further evidence of the negative effects hi-tech gadgetry and computers can have on youngsters if they are used to excess.

Miss Redden added: "The research is disheartening because it shows schools are not as friendly as they could be."

She said Save the Children was encouraging children to value their friendships on Friendship Friday, a fundraising day being held on May 25.