Almost two thirds (64%) of children and young people said they spend too much or far too much time online, in responses to a new survey published by Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity.

Warning that ‘Scotland risks sleepwalking into the digital destruction of childhood,’ the charity revealed the figures as it unveiled its strategic priorities for the next five years.

Eighty four percent of the 1032 children and young people aged between 11 and 25 surveyed by Young Scot for Children First felt that being online prevented them from having enough time for other activities they want to do.

• 46% of children and young people said being online stopped them from having time to relax without a screen
• 43% said it stopped them from sleeping or resting
• 36% said it stopped them being active or playing outside
• 35% said it stopped them spending time with family.

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said:

“It is alarming that 84% of children and young people say that being online is stopping them from spending enough time on other activities that are vital to their healthy wellbeing and development. Without more urgent and sustained action across all sectors Scotland risks sleepwalking into the digital destruction of childhood.

“Increasingly digital devices are being placed in children’s hands before they are ready – not just children and teenagers but also babies and toddlers. So at best, a social media ban can only ever be a small part of the answer – we need to go further and faster if we are to protect Scotland’s children and protect childhood.

“At Children First we are committing to do everything we can to protect children from online harm by campaigning for a public health approach that includes stronger regulation, delayed access to devices, better advice and support for parents and caregivers and investment in play, creativity and sport so children have real alternatives to being online. Together, we can reclaim childhood and make sure it is protected and celebrated at every stage.”

Last week with the support of 16 other organisations and national leaders, Children First wrote to the newly re-appointed First Minister and opposition parties to urge them to ‘act swiftly to tackle online harm’ in the first 100 days of the new Parliament calling it ‘the childhood emergency of our time.’

As well as campaigning against online harm, Children First, which has been supporting babies, children and families in Scotland for over 140 years, has set out plans to:

• Invest in the Children First support line so that every family in Scotland has somewhere to turn for help.
• Strengthen families ability to protect their children by developing and delivering family support and therapeutic support.
• Campaign to make sure the United Nations on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and delivery of the promise results in radical transformation for children within family support, health, child protection and justice systems.
• Demand sustainable investment in prevention to keep children safe, loved and well with their families.
• Improve support for children in need of care, protection and justice by growing their access to Bairns Hoose services.
• Expand family group decision making services to make sure no child is unnecessarily removed from their home.

Children First’s support line can provide practical, emotional and financial support to parents and carers across Scotland, including those who are worried about their child being harmed online on 08000 28 22 33 or via webchat at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.