Some years ago, television acquired the pejorative description of the thief in the corner because of the time it stole from children that could otherwise have been spent on more useful and worthwhile pursuits. This was a one-sided view of TV that came out of parental frustration and concern about its impact. Now, it is not so much the thief in the corner as the thieves in various parts of the bedroom that are posing a much more harmful threat to the physical and mental wellbeing of young people.

Some years ago, television acquired the pejorative description of the thief in the corner because of the time it stole from children that could otherwise have been spent on more useful and worthwhile pursuits. This was a one-sided view of TV that came out of parental frustration and concern about its impact. Now, it is not so much the thief in the corner as the thieves in various parts of the bedroom that are posing a much more harmful threat to the physical and mental wellbeing of young people.

According to a report published today, television, computer games, texting and music systems (or any combination) are keeping teenagers from the sleep they need as part of their development. The report, from the Sleep Council, finds that nearly one 12 to 16-year-old in three is getting by on just four hours sleep a night. There is a link between the number of must-have gadgets the young person has access to and and the amount of sleep he or she is managing. Dr Chris Idzikowski, of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre, describes the trend as incredibly worrying. A phrase has been coined for it: junk sleep. Whether it becomes common currency in daily discourse, in the way of phrases such as couch potato, remains to be seen.

The prospects will be less likely if we wake up to the problem. But there is no easy solution. Blanket parental bans on computer games and so on are counter-productive and risk stigmatising young people among their peers at a sensitive time in their emotional development. Also, teenagers need time and space for themselves. In some households, this is used as an excuse by parents to provide their children with every gadget going for their bedroom in the knowledge that they can be left to their own devices while mum and dad get on with their lives.

Out of sight, out of mind (but secure in the family home). This attitude is irresponsible. It is not easy, but the answer lies in striking a balance that is neither punitive nor too relaxed towards teenagers. Failing to impose restrictions on activities that eat into invaluable sleeping time does no favours in the long run.