Did you know? Your little one is a tech pro

If you think that the younger generation is smarter, then you are right as a recent study reveals that two-year-olds are adept at using touch screens and can swipe, unlock and actively search for features on smartphones and tablets.

Researchers, who suggest that the technology might have a potential role in childhood developmental assessment said that this level of interactivity is akin to play.

They base their findings on 82 questionnaires on touch screen access and use, completed by the parents of children aged between 12 months and 3 years.

During the research most parents gave their child the device to play with for an average of 15 minutes a day, and nearly two thirds said they had downloaded apps for their child to use.

Nine out of 10 parents, who owned a touch screen device said their child was able to swipe; half said their child was able to unlock the screen, and nearly two thirds felt their child actively searched for touch screen features.

Researchers said that interactive touch screen applications offer a level of engagement not previously experienced with other forms of media and are more akin to traditional play.

They added that this opens up the potential application of these devices for both assessment of development and early intervention in high risk children.

The research is published in the Journal, 'Disease in Childhood.