TV screens dominate children's free time CHILDREN with electronic equipment in their bedrooms take 1000 footsteps a day less than those without, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The snapshot into the physical activity and sedentary behaviour of Australians, released Friday, shows we spend considerable amounts of time sitting - in front of TVs and computers - while under one in five people manages the recommended 10,000 steps a day. It shows adults spend two months a year on sedentary leisure activities. ABS director of health surveys, Juanita Pettit said the data gave information about behaviours linked to Australia's high obesity rate. "In 2011-12 children aged five-17 years spent on average nearly one and a half hours per day watching TV and close to half an hour a day using the internet for non-homework purposes," she said. In addition, boys spent over half an hour playing electronic games, with girls a mere eight minutes. The figures also show half of Aussie kids aged 5-17 have access to screen equipment in their rooms, and spend 2.5 hours per day using them. Those without screen equipment in their rooms took an average 1000 steps more per day, and spent under two hours on screens. "Fifteen to 17-year-olds were 'big' screen users, with three-quarters reporting having access to a TV, computer, video games console and/or other screen-based equipment in their room," Ms Pettit said. "The trend also starts at a young age with close to one in six toddlers (two to four year olds) having access to media equipment in their bedrooms," she said. On the adult front, the figures show a similar result for both sexes - an average of 13 hours per week spent watching TV.