Put the phone camera away and play with your children instead, says BBC comedian

PARENTS should play with their children rather than film them, a BBC comedian has said.

Josie Long said that adventure playgrounds play a vital role in children’s development and added that she wished that some parents would interact with their children more than just by filming them.

In an interview with Radio Times, the 39-year-old British stand-up, said: “I find it unfortunate that so many parents today interact with their children by filming them, rather than playing with them or just watching them have fun.

“I’m [glad] you don’t see that happening too much at adventure playgrounds. Mostly the parents are just letting their children get on with enjoying themselves and making new relationships. Because that’s another thing adventure playgrounds do – they teach kids how to interact with each other, how to work together and build things together.

“A child might find themselves playing with another child they would never otherwise meet and children of different ages can play together, the older ones looking after the younger ones… if you’re spending time at an adventure playground, you’re absolutely not spending it looking at a screen”.

Long, who hosts a series of Podcasts and shows on BBC Radio 4, including Short Cuts and Josie Long’s Gambit, described adventure playgrounds as “places where children can be truly creative”.

However, she added that “the tragedy is, they are under threat” due to austerity and cuts.

“I’ve come to realise what a vital role adventure playgrounds can play in children’s development,” she added.