The growth of broadband internet has resulted in a privileged generation who have reaped a host of benefits from growing up online as well as enjoying the chance to develop their creativity, it has been claimed.

According to a study from the Post Office, nearly four in ten (39 per cent) of the nation is writing more than they were 10 years ago – a development that it attributes to the proliferation of online channels such as e-mails and social networking sites.

The Post Office’s broadband division claims that the need to type so often to communicate is feeding our creative instincts and helping us develop our writing skills as well as our reading speeds.

Internet psychologist Graham Jones said: “We have to write emails or entries into social networking sites.

“Even if you are on YouTube and want to make a comment you have to type it. Never before in history have we written as much as we do nowadays.”

In response to its study, the Post Office Broadband has named under-20s, the S.O.N.I.C generation, meaning that they are Savvy, Online, Networked, Informed and in Control.