Internet brings childhood to premature end

The research found many parents believe that their sons and daughters grow up faster and are under greater pressure than previous generations.

About seven in 10 (71.2 per cent) said their child stopped being “childlike” by the age of 12, while around a third (35.6 per cent) said their youngster’s childhood lasted only until they were 10 , the Netmums poll, which questioned 1,032 parents, found .

About two-thirds (65.7 per cent) of the parents questioned said today’s children are under much more pressure, and grow up far faster, with just 2.5 per cent saying they thought it was harder when they were growing up. The poll also suggested that childhood is under threat due to outside factors such as the internet, celebrity culture and images of thin or overtly sexy celebrities, magazines aimed at “tweens” but containing content more suitable for older teenagers, and the easy availability of suggestive images and online porn.

Almost two-thirds of parents (74.1 per cent) cited peer pressure as one of the main factors making children grow up quickly.

Parents were also asked for the main pressures on “tweenage” boys and girls – those aged between seven and 13.

About six in 10 (59.9 per cent) said one of the main pressures on boys is to be macho before they are ready.