The new guide reveals numerous key stats, including that one in ten families have experienced unexpected bills after letting their child play with an adult tablet or smartphone.

As LeapFrog reports that more tablets were given to children this Christmas than ever before, the firm is helping put the minds of concerned parents at ease with the launch of its new safety guide.

Recognising that there is a growing concern among British parents about their children's safety when using technology such as tablets, the new guide - Children and Technology - includes comments and advice from various experts.

The new guide reveals numerous key stats, including that one in ten families have experienced unexpected bills after letting their child play with an adult tablet or smartphone.

LeapFrog's guide aims to inform parents about the safe use of tablets, utilising its panel of experts including Dr Jody Sherman Le Vos, LeapFrog Learning team, Janette Wallis, editor of The Good Schools Guide and Stuart Miles, editor of online gadget site Pocket Lint.

Chris Spalding, managing director and SVP EMEA and Australasia at LeapFrog, said: "Children growing up today are mimicking their parents and are as proficient using electronic tablets and computers as they are pen and paper.

"Operating these devices is second nature to them but with technology advancing all the time, this does sometimes pose a challenge for parents.

“To help fill that knowledge gap and to put parents’ minds at ease about what their kids are doing on tablets, smartphones and PCs we have put together the LeapFrog ‘Children and Technology’ guide.

"The guide takes parents through everything from the basics of using popular technology to how to ensure children can stay out of trouble online.”