YOU swig down your alcopop, stick your finger up to your parents and tell them you're heading off to your boyfriend or girlfriend's house to stay the night.

This is the picture that has been painted of today's children, with a poll revealing that more than half of parents believe childhood is now over by 11.

Best-selling children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson - whose publisher Random House Children's Books commissioned the survey - has added her voice to fears that Britain's children are growing up too quickly.

The research has found that parents are giving in to their children's pestering and allowing them adult freedoms earlier - in contrast with their own strict upbringings.

Former Children's Laureate Wilson said: "I think children act like adults at an alarmingly early age.

"I think it's good that we listen and want the best for our children nowadays, but perhaps we should remember that they are only children and need a little loving guidance."

However, Dr Terry Fish, head of Twynham School in Christchurch, believes children's maturity shouldn't always be viewed as a bad thing.

He said: "You do worry that children are growing up too quickly but young people are remarkably sensible.

"Yes, they want to grow up, but didn't we all?

"They do understand the lines and boundaries, and there is always part of them that want to be children.

"We just need to allow them to be children."

Some of the key findings of the poll include:

  • 55 per cent of parents think childhood is over by the time children start secondary school at 11.
  • 67 per cent of parents are worried about the company their children keep.
  • 71 per cent allow their children to drink alcohol at home before they turn 18.
  • 45 per cent of parents let their 16-year-old children sleep the night at a boyfriend or girlfriend's house.

Chris Cloke, head of child protection awareness for the NSPCC, said parents had a difficult line to tread and were right to take sensible measures to protect their children from harm.

He said: "Today more than ever, there is a feeling that childhood is a risky business, though every age throws up its own problems and fears.

"It is important to balance children's safety needs with giving them the freedom and independence to have fun with their friends."

Ultimately, it is down to the parents and family to provide the necessary childhood guidance, said Dr Fish, though this was harder to achieve in a time-starved society.

He said: "It is about the families spending time with the children, but our culture is about work, work, work.

"While that is okay, we mustn't forget, as parents, young people are children who need our time."