According to a recent London survey, approximately 51% of 10-year-olds in Britain own a mobile phone. However, the figure jumps to 91% by the time children are 12 years old.

Also according the the survey, most children used their phones to text rather than talk. On average, 11-17 year olds kids, send 9.6 text messages a day and make or receive 3.5 calls per day. Adults send 3.6 texts on a daily basis and make or receive 2.8 calls per day.

Some 78 per cent said having a mobile phone made it easier to keep in contact with friends while 42 per cent of girls aged 15 to 17 said they would feel "unwanted" if a day went by without a mobile phone call. Other uses include escaping their parents: one in three youngsters said they talk regularly to and/or send texts to people they do not want their parents to know about.

Texting has also revolutionised dating: a quarter of 11- to 17-year-olds have received an SMS asking them out on a date, while 16- and 17-year-olds are almost twice as likely to be asked out by text than those aged 25 plus.