British adults are spending more time using media gadgets than sleeping, a new report says.
The study, by communications regulator Ofcom, also found that six-year-old Britons have the same understanding as 45-year-olds of using gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets.
Britons were also reaching their peak understanding of digital technology at the age of 14 to 15, it says.
The research also shows the average British adult now spends more time using media or communications (eight hours, 41 minutes a day) than they do sleeping (eight hours, 21 minutes).
Other key findings from Ofcom's annual report includes evidence teenagers are turning away from talking on the phone, with just 3 per cent of their communications time spent making voice calls.
The vast majority of their time spent communicating (94 per cent) is text-based, such as instant messaging or using social networking sites.
In contrast, 20 per cent of adults' communications time is spent making phone calls.
Jane Rumble, head of media research and intelligence at Ofcom, said the data led to the "question whether the millennium generation is losing its voice" or whether children will make voice calls more as they get older.
The findings also showed an increase in the use of tablet computers over desktops, with more than 44 per cent now owning a tablet compared to a quarter the previous year.
The rise of tablets is also having an effect on the older generation, with 22 per cent of over 65s now owning one, compared to just 2 per cent two years ago.
While the "millennium generation" of children now aged 14 to 15 show the most understanding of digital technology, this drops gradually until people in their late 50s before falling rapidly from age 60 onwards.
Along with tablets, the number of people using smartphones has also increased over the past year, with 61 per cent owning one compared to 51 per cent a year earlier.
Almost nine in 10 of 16- to 24-year-olds have smartphones, while just 14 per cent of those aged 65-plus possess one.
Time spent watching TV has fallen, with the average amount in 2013 being three hours and 52 minutes compared to fours hours and one minute the year before - the same across all age groups.
The number of people with internet access at home has grown by two percentage points from the previous year, to 82 per cent.
Among more traditional forms of media, adults own more books than CDs and DVDs, although the average book collection fell from 89 to 86 a person.
The research showed that music streaming is more popular than CDs with young people.
While a quarter of workers believe technology is improving their work-life balance, 16 per cent disagree and just under half reported no difference.
But the study found that while almost a third send work-related messages or take calls on holiday, 60 per cent say they send personal texts during work time.
One in 10 said they read or send work emails or texts while in bed.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "Our research shows that a 'millennium generation' is shaping communications habits for the future.
"While children and teenagers are the most digitally savvy, all age groups are benefiting from new technology."
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