Prince Charles has called for lottery money to be spent on enticing schoolchildren away from computer games to theatre and the arts.
Charles said he hoped he would not "get in trouble" for saying it but the people spending lottery proceeds should be "more imaginative" in helping young people have access to the performing arts.
Speaking in the Round Reading Room at the British Museum in London, the Prince spoke about the battle against video games and a need to "expand the minds and fire the imagination" of children.
The event was to celebrate the completion of the Everyman Millennium Library project, which distributes copies of the great classics of literature to schools around Britain.
Charles said: "None of us can underestimate the importance of books in an age dominated by the computer screen and the constant wish for immediate gratification."
He continued: "One of the great battles we face today is to persuade our children away from the computer games towards what can only be described as worthwhile books."
The Prince used the reception, hosted by the Millennium Commission, to call for more help for young people to enjoy the arts.
He said: "I hope I won't get into trouble for saying this but having seen the Millennium Commission achieve this particularly imaginative scheme (the Everyman project), why can't the Millennium Commission or the lottery think about an even more imaginative scheme which would enable many more children to witness the best theatre, music and other performing arts.
"Just allow them to experience it. We have got the money through the lottery, I think many new generations of schoolchildren would be allowed access."
A worthy goal, but throwing money at the problem and scapegoating won't get him anywhere.