How dinner time conversation is becoming little more than 'pass the screens' - as report reveals half of UK children play on phones and tablets at the table

Dinner time conversation has become little more than 'pass the screens', with half of British children playing on phones and tablets at the table, according to a report.

Almost two-fifths of parents polled said they struggled to engage with their child at meal times, and three in ten said they rarely ever spoke as a family while eating.

The report by pub chain Hungry Horse found the average family in the UK eats together just three times a week, while 7 per cent never get round the table at the same time. 

Only 19 per cent of the 2,000 parents surveyed dined together every day.

'While technology has revolutionised communication in some ways, it's made us lazier when it comes to face-to-face conversation,' says family psychologist Emma Kenny.

'The risk of allowing this is that our children will lose out on important social and emotional skills. 

'That's why it's important families get together at dinner time and engage in conversation, helping our little ones nurture the skills they need in life.'

Ms Kenny advises using open-ended questions to get children talking. For example, rather than asking whether a child has had a good day, she suggests parents ask: 'What was the best thing about your day?'

She also says parents should give children time to express their feelings and ban tech from the table. 

It came as Hungry Horse rolled out 'table talk' activity sheets across its pubs to encourage families to interact.