by Alice Scarsi
Survey conducted ahead of Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show reveals youngsters prefer screens over nature
A survey conducted to coincide with the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 has revealed that 95 per cent of British children spend up to seven hours a day in front of a screen rather than socialising outdoors.
The results of the survey reveal an alarming decline in children socialising with others or getting out in the open, which seems to have been replaced by the growing popularity of computers and videogames, with only 13 per cent of young Britons play outside at least once a day, compared to 30 per cent in previous generations.
Just 37 per cent of children surveyed have climbed a tree, with less than half claiming to have swum in the sea. More shockingly, just two thirds of those questioned have ridden a bicycle or scooter.
According to explorer and author, Simon Reeve, this change in behaviour could prove detrimental to childrens’ awareness of the world that awaits. He said: “A heavy reliance on entertainment through technology means young people aren’t aware of the world around them.
“Families should be making more effort to spend time together in the outdoors.
“And more importance should be put on activities that enrich children’s lives, rather than in pacifying them.”
With the emergence of such figures, the recent launch of the Freedom to Go campaign looks more important and necessary than ever. Isn’t it about time youngsters started developing an affinity with nature and learn how to manage their playtime between technology and outdoors? What so wrong with a good game of conkers anyway?!
