Some health authorities have begun to speak out about the possible damage of too much ‘screen time’ for children.

Experts have warned excessive periods on smart phones and tablets can be addictive and affect psychological and physical development.

“It works similar to other addictions in that there is a reward pathway that dopamine sets up. If you're doing any activity that feels really good, you would want to do more of that activity and continue to have that good feeling,” Psychologist and school counsellor Jocelyn Brewer said in a recent interview.

“Similarly to someone with a gambling problem, it might not be the racecourse, but it's what you do at that racecourse.

“The negatives can be the in-built addictive qualities that some of the apps have that get you to want to be in them all the time and make them really hard to put down,” she said.

Ms Brewer regularly counsels kids through screen addictions that have major negative consequences.

“The big issue though it the time it takes away from other play. It can displace other key skills,” says Dr Kate Highfield, a technology-in-education expert.

“Some of the concerns can be with eyesight, fine motor skills and pencil grip... and other skills [such as] posture, as children lean down to look.

“If I'm engaging with digital media, playing games and reading digital books, it might mean that I'm not building with blocks or painting with real paints or running outside and playing,” Dr Highfield said.

With appropriate controls however, the new wave of devices bring new benefits too.

“For parents they can give you that five minutes of free time you just need. But for children they can also bring enormous educational benefits,” Dr Highfield said.