Smartphone applications are turning kids into amateur movie-makers and rock stars. Many children such as Johannesburg's Alessandra Anaxagoras, 10, are using stick characters called Stikbot and the mobile applications to create videos. The little figurines, available in 12 colours, with suction-cup hands and feet can stick to almost any flat surface, making them easy to pose.The Stikbot Studio application takes individual photos and animates the character into a film with music and sound effects. Its selfie microphone, which features a karaoke function, lets girls star in their own music videos.John Jordaan, managing director of Prima Toys, said "the whole category of app-related toys is growing internationally. A lot of major toy manufacturers are looking at tech as a next avenue".He said kids were growing up sooner as a result of technology."Ten years ago, kids up to the age of 12 were still playing with toys. But now you have lost them to technology by the age of eight."Hamleys toy store spokesman Aurelle Franks said Stikbots and selfie microphones were among the company's top sellers.Nikita Wijtenburg, 12, of Edenvale, said: "The Stikbots are very flexible. In one of my videos I created a gymnastics instructor who was not very good."This toy helps me to express my imagination."..