Fetch the tissues and get ready to dole out the hugs. A survey has revealed that British children are sad when they're without access to t'internet*.
The Digital Futures project surveyed 1,000 young people in the UK aged between eight and 16 on how the internet impacts their young lives.
The attachement to the largest ever interconnected network of computers, or world wide web, was strongest in those aged over 12.
The majority, 60%, of those aged between 12 and 16, and 49% of under 12s said they would be “sad” without an internet connection. 48% per cent of the older group said they would be "lonely".
While the survey didn't ask whether they were aware of the long list of traditional games and entertainments that can be enjoyed without the internet, none of the children actively mentioned they would be unhappy having their internet replaced with a game of good ol' British Bulldog, jumpsies or kick the can.
In addition to teen "sadness" the poll's results also supported anecdotal evidence found on YouTube, that toddlers are rather adept at using iPads.
For all their clammy-handed dominance of the touch pads, babies lost out in the heaviest web-user stats - that title went to teenagers.
The survey was just shy of concluding that children are better at everything to with the internet, computers, digital set-top boxes and everything than you are. But only just.
Intersperience Chief Executive Paul Hudson said: “We matched the results against our Digital Selves research on adult behaviour and it shows that even eight to 11 years olds perform a wider daily range of tasks online than grown-ups. Adults may be concerned about the strong emotional connection kids have to the internet today but our study shows that far from losing the art of conversation, children still prefer chatting to their friends in person.”
*I know. In MY day we didn't have the information superhighway either.
Are you a kid? Are you sad without internet? Does your mother know you're about to comment below and tell us how sad it is to be a kid without internet?