Hooked on computers, children who shun outside play

IT should be a time when children escape the school routine to get fresh air and exercise with their friends and family.

But Scotland’s younger generation have shunned outdoor pursuits this summer to spend nearly 15 hours a week staring at a screen, researchers have found.

Building dens, flying kites and climbing trees have given way to staring at tablets, computers or TV screens, while 82 per cent of parents fear their children miss out on the childhood adventures they enjoyed as youngsters.

While anxious about the effect of such a sedentary lifestyle on their children’s health, parents may be contributing to the problem, as 27 per cent fail to put a time limiton children’s screen time, according to a study.

One in ten does not think it safe for their child to play outside and half would only let them play out supervised by an adult.

The study of 2,000 parents by outdoors adventure company Go Ape found that the average child in Scotland s pends at l east t wo hours, six minutes a day at a screen in the summer break, above the UK average. More than half – 52 per cent – of parents north of the Border feel guilty about allowing their children too much screen time.

Broadcaster and father-oftwo Ben Fogle, who is taking part in the Share Adventure campaign with Go Ape, said: ‘ I do worry that today’s generation of children are at risk of l osing their sense of adventure.

‘It is clear from the study that many parents need to do more to encourage their children to play outdoors and be more physically active.

‘The prospect of future generations having no interest in flying a kite or climbing trees is a frightening thought.

‘I hope parents act on this and get their children outside this summer.’

Across the UK, 49 per cent of parents said their offspring shun traditional activities such as making daisy chains, while 42 per cent said their children don’t build dens and 37 per cent said climbing

if trees had been ruled out. Other neglected pursuits include searching for insects.

The survey also found that across the UK 77 per cent want their children to spend more time outside, while 22 per cent admit that they regularly stick their child in front of the TV or a games console

‘At risk of losing sense of adventure’

because it i s easier than planning activities.

The research also shows that 49 per cent of all British parents feel their children would class ‘ playtime’ as watching TV and playing on computer games rather than doing outdoor activities.

About 48 per cent admit allowing their child extra ‘screen time’ simply to keep them occupied.

Go Ape head of marketing Paul Lymer said: ‘Parents want their children to take part in more outdoor activities but many are at a loss when it comes to planning family trips.’