Wilson presented with the Special Award at Children's BAFTAs

Dame Jacqueline Wilson has won the Special Award for her “outstanding contribution to children’s media” at the British Academy Children’s Awards.

The author was presented with the prize from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) by actress Michelle Collins, who played the title role in the TV adaptation Illustrated Mum (Transworld), at the event at London's Roundhouse.

The Special Award celebrates excellence and recognises Wilson’s outstanding contribution to British children’s television and media through the adaptation of her work. Earlier this month, when it was revealed she would be honoured with the award, chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee, Helen Blakeman, said the author's "impact on children’s media has touched and inspired both audience and industry alike".

Wilson, who was made a dame in 2009, told the BBC ahead of being presented with the award that “and that “teenagers' lives are ruled by social media now” and “electronic life has wiped out books”.

She revealed that she “struggles” to get to grips with the technology which young people are using and believes that “it’s a bit of a challenge to be a young person now”. She said: "By the time you write about it, it becomes old hat. Seeing how many people have liked a post doesn't give you much to get your teeth into."

As the Kindle celebrates its 10th anniversary, Wilson is concerned that the digital age has affected adults’ reading. She said: "I find it sad that adults aren't reading as much. On the train 10 years ago people were reading books - I would love trying to work out what titles they were reading.

"Now I'll be the only person with a book on my lap and everyone else is glued to their smartphones or checking emails.”

In July, the author helped select the “flybrary” for EasyJet’s entire UK fleet and described how "reading soothes, entertains, grows vocabulary and exercises the mind".

Wilson has sold 18.9 million copies making £103.3m since records began according to Nielsen BookScan. 

BAFTA Kids is a scheme of events and projects for families across the UK run by BAFTA, offering insight into “creative excellence” within film, television and games.