Facebook, Twitter obsessed Brit teens becoming 'screen-agers'

With the increasing popularity of Facebook and Twitter, more than half of the British teenagers are turning into "screen-agers", hence increasing the sale of laptops in the country, revealed a new study.

Sales of portable computers to youngsters rocketed to more than five million last year.

New figures revealed that 52% of 12 to 18-year-olds now have their own laptop, compared with just 32% five years ago.

Obsessed teenagers spend hours at a time on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Experts fear the surge could worsen the country's obesity crisis - especially after reports earlier this month revealed 64% of British children avoid outdoor activities.

The study of "screen-agers" also found that three quarters of all Brits now own a laptop so they can be near their computer at all times.

The soaring demand for portable PCs has led supermarket giant Tesco to launch a special trade-in service with 50 pounds paid for selected laptops.

"Teenagers are driving sales of laptops," the Daily Star quoted Matt Finch, senior electrical manager at Tesco, as saying.

"They are an essential study tool these days as well as being used for many forms of entertainment," Finch added.