In London, a group of renowned psychologists, academics, teachers and authors say that action is needed now in order to prevent the death of childhood.
Junk food, TV and the Internet are poisoning childhood
The 110-strong lobby group wrote a letter to the Daily Telegraph asking that the Government intervene before children suffer irretrievable psychological and physical damage.
They say politicians have failed to appreciate how damaging the modern world has become to children's development.
They wrote: "We are deeply concerned at the escalating incidence of childhood depression and children's behavioural and developmental conditions
---
Studies found that cognitive skills in 11-year-olds were two to three years behind the average levels of 15 years ago.