New
research with parents shows the devastating impact that the sharp decline in
outdoor play facilities is having on their children’s physical and mental
health.
The
survey of 1,111 parents with children aged between 2 and 12 has revealed:
- 72% of parents of children with health issues such
as obesity said that the lack of outdoor
play facilities in their area has played a role in their children’s
problems.
- Over a quarter of parents surveyed with
children experiencing mental health problems said that
the lack of outdoor play facilities in their area has played a
role in their children’s difficulties.
- 26% of parents with children who have sleep
problems say that a lack of outdoor play facilities in
their area has played a role in their children’s sleep difficulties.
The *survey 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.
It follows previous API research
which uncovered an alarming decline
in public playground provision due to
local authority budget cuts.
Mark Hardy, API Chair, said: “Most of the
parents surveyed say that playgrounds are vital in getting children outdoors
and active again. 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.
“Free, outdoor play is absolutely crucial to
normal development. 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.”
"The Play Must
Stay campaign is calling for urgent
investment in playgrounds before they disappear for good. “There is a
national crisis going on all around us,” said Mark. “The savings made now in
cutting play budgets will cost the taxpayer far more in the longer term.
The decline in community playgrounds is a significant factor in creating a
generation of children experiencing obesity, mental health problems and sleep
difficulties.”
