Broadband is having a marked impact on children's education in the UK by helping them make the most of the internet as a research tool.

According to a detailed survey of 50 UK families by the Future Foundation, two-thirds of children with broadband access are spending more time using the internet for academic purposes, including research and revision.

Over the three-month period of the study, the time children spent online for educational purposes increased by 19 per cent, while time spent on gaming and entertainment fell by 21 per cent.

Almost every child in the study (97 per cent), conducted on behalf of BT, used broadband internet connections to do their homework, and 58 per cent felt that their schoolwork would suffer without it.

Future Foundation chief executive Paul Flatters said in a statement: "We were surprised at the proportion of time that was dedicated to education by participants.

"It certainly challenges traditional fears that children will primarily use the internet for entertainment.

"The research also demonstrated a widespread perception among 75 per cent of parents that their children's education has benefited from having access to broadband, and we predict that it will be an important driver in terms of the take up of this technology in the UK."

Emma Sanderson, a director at BT Broadband, added: "We expect education to be a primary reason for broadband uptake across UK families over the next 12 months."