Children are now getting iPads at eight

THE average UK child owns a mobile phone by the age of seven and an iPad by the age of eight, a report claimed yesterday.

Most children can also operate a television at four – even before they can tie their own shoelaces, ride a bike or swim.

The average child will also have their first games console by the age of eight and a laptop by ten.

Research from esure home insurance found that youngsters are reaching technological milestones earlier than ever.

This is despite the fact that 68 per cent of the 1,500 parents surveyed think that children should not have their own mobile phone until they are at least nine.