Study shows kids are spending less time outside compared to prisoners

ree in four children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates, a report reveals. It is recommended that prisoners spend an hour outside each day. A third of children around play in the open air for less than half that every day. The report reveals youngsters are missing out on adventurous play. It found 74 per cent of children spend less than 60 minutes a day playing outdoors, while 18 per cent never play outside at all. Parents have noticed the declining trend, with three in five blaming a lack of opportunities for children compared with previous generations. One in ten mothers and fathers have never been on an outdoor adventure with their child. The study found many youngsters prefer playing computer games over anything else.
Children also prefer to play virtual sports on screens as opposed to the real thing outside, say three in four parents. As a result of spending so little time outside, many young children have little knowledge of nature, the study found. Mark Sears, of The Wild Network, which campaigns for children to play outside more, said: ‘This research highlights everything we know at The Wild Network about today’s children.
‘They aren’t getting enough outdoor play and it has serious consequences … the evidence is overwhelming – outdoor play is vital for children, it makes them happier and healthier.’