More than two thirds of children now prefer to sit in front of the television or the computer on their own than play with others, according to a survey by Mintel.

The lonely nature of childplay will add to concerns about the rising levels of obesity, which are now five times higher than they were 25 years ago. One in ten six-year-olds is now considered obese along with 15 per cent of 15-year-olds.

The problem of “square-eyed” children seeking television for entertainment is most acute in the North East of England and Yorkshire, where 38 per cent of children spend the majority of their free time in front of the box.

In Scotland, where the least number of children watch television in every spare hour, more than half the parents encourage them to go outside and play.

Part of the problem may be that parents are fearful of encouraging children to play outside. In London and the South East, where traffic is heavier and the perception of crime is worse, only 41 per cent of parents tell their children to go out to play and 80 per cent of children spend more time playing alone than with others.

That compares with 60 per cent in Wales, the South West and the North West.

Ideally children and young people should do an hour’s moderate exercise daily and at least twice a week they should exercise in order to improve their bones, muscles and flexibility.

For a young child that could mean playing in the park, walking to school or visiting the local swimming pool. For teenagers that should include three or four sports activities a week and more at weekends.

Professor Alan Smithers, the director of education and employment research at the University of Buckingham, said yesterday that the problem was stemmed partly in the fear of many parents to let their children play outside.

“The risk is that we become a disconnected society,” he said. “Quality of life depends on us relating to each other and if we have no opportunity to do that and practise it as we grow up, we may settle for solitary lives, depending on television for entertainment and the internet to communicate.” As a result school playgrounds were more important than ever.

This month parents said that they were very concerned that Japanese superheroes appeared to be winning the battle for their children’s attention, as Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and Pokemon replaced skipping ropes and marbles in the playground. Four out of ten adults recalled playing games such as marbles or cat’s cradle during their childhoods. But less than one per cent said that modern children played marbles and not a single parent or teacher named cat’s cradle as a playground activity today.

Fewer than 5 per cent of children were estimated to have taken part in conker fights this autumn. The survey of 760 parents and children also discovered that on average parents spent £200 on toys for children under 16, up from £144 in 1998.

More than 75 per cent of women bought a toy at least once a year compared with 67 per cent of men.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• DIY video helps the WI get to grips with sex
• Artists urge nation to save Titians
• Go home, Iraqi leader tells Britain