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Young people's attachment to their mobile phones is eroding their personal relationships, according to a new study.

The claims come after research revealed that young adults - in addition to sending over 100 texts - check their mobile up to 60 times a day.

Experts behind a new study have now said compulsively checking a mobile phone is an addiction similar to compulsive spending or credit card misuse.

They said their research showed mobile and instant messaging addictions are driven by materialism and impulsiveness - which also plays a role in behavioural and substance addictions.

Dr James Roberts, of the Baylor's Hankamer School of Business, said it was important for students - who spend up to seven hours a day interacting with communication technology - to recognise when their behaviour is becoming a problem.