Parents blame lack of playgrounds for child health problems
Catherine Gaunt
Friday, August 30, 2019
Three-quarters of parents say that a lack of play areas is affecting their child's health, figures suggest.
The Association of Play Industries (API) commissioned Mumsnet to carry out research about outdoor play among parents of children aged between two and 12.
The survey asked about children’s outdoor play and indoor screen habits, and revealed a growing concern among parents about their children’s activity levels and the shift away from outdoor play to indoor screen time.
Many of the 1,111 parents surveyed said that the shortage of outdoor play facilities had impacted on their children’s physical and mental health.
The lack of outdoor play facilities was cited by parents surveyed as an issue for:
- 72 per cent of parents of children with health problems, such as obesity;
- More than a quarter of parents of children experiencing mental health problems, and;
- 26 per cent of parents of children who have problems sleeping.
Mark Hardy, chair of the API 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.’
Earlier this month, the API launched the Play Must Stay campaign in reaction to parents’ concerns about the shift from outdoor play to indoor screen time and the limited number of playgrounds.
The campaign is calling for urgent investment in playgrounds before they disappear for good.
‘There is a national crisis going on all around us,’ added Mr Hardy. ‘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.'
