New
research out today shows that parents are worried about the shift from outdoor
play to indoor screen time and the vast majority of parents say that
playgrounds are vital in getting children outdoors and active again.
A
survey of 1,111 parents with children aged between 2 and 12 has found that 9
out of 10 parents who were not close to a playground said that having access
would make their child play outside more.
Of
those with access to a playground, 61% said it does make their child play
outside more and over half (53%) of parents said more access to playgrounds
would make their child more active.
The research was carried out by Mumsnet – the
UK’s biggest website for parents - and commissioned by the Association of Play
Industries (API). It asked parents about their children’s outdoor
play and indoor screen time habits and revealed their growing concerns over
children’s activity levels and the shift from outdoor play to indoor screen
time.
Almost
half of them said that their child prefers screen time over other activities
and almost half of those surveyed said they find it difficult to persuade their
child to leave their screen. 69% of parents of 10 to 12-year-olds said
their children preferred screen time over other activities.
“Children are being ‘pulled’ indoors by screens and
‘pushed’ away from outdoor play because of the alarming and
continued decline in public playgrounds,” said
Mark Hardy, API Chair. “They are experiencing a childhood where time spent
playing and being active is negligible compared to previous generations.
“The
overwhelming majority of UK children live in urban areas. For these children,
and particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas, public playgrounds are
their only chance for outdoor play.
“We
are in danger of leaving entire communities without anywhere for children to
play. Couple this with the dominance of digital culture and the strong
inducement it creates for children to stay indoors – inactive and alone for
hours – children are facing a crisis with dire consequences for their mental
and physical health.”
Over
one third (35%) of parents have experienced the closure or neglect of their
local playground and of those with a local playground only 13% overall said
they would be happy for their child to play there unsupervised.
The association’s campaign – Play MustStay – launched today and is calling for urgent
and sustained investment in public play provision. It is also supporting
the Children First Alliance in their call for a dedicated Cabinet Minister for
Children & Young People to put children at the heart of politics and help
drive investment in community playgrounds.
“With
ever-shrinking opportunities for children to play outdoors, public playgrounds
play a crucial role in improving children’s movement levels and, in turn, their
physical and mental health,” continued Mark.
“Playgrounds
are not a luxury. They provide a uniquely safe, traffic-free environment
in and around our towns and cities and for millions of children they are
essential to their current and future health. For policymakers, the
funding of public playgrounds should be a priority because they are both
prevention and cure; playgrounds fulfil a unique role in improving children’s
movement, social interaction, fitness and physical and mental health.
“As a resource to improve children’s health – through
movement and outdoor play – the role of public playgrounds should not be
under-estimated. For a relatively modest investment now the health of
children could benefit greatly for years to come. Policy should reflect the
reality which is that, in a heavily urbanised and digitally dominated society,
public playgrounds really do matter and play must stay.”
