A significant proportion of children today reportedly lack the freedom to play in their front gardens, according to a recent survey.
In a world where technology dominates our daily lives, a significant shift in children's play habits has been observed. A report published in The Atlantic, written by Lenore Skenazy, Zach Rausch, and Jonathan Haidt, sheds light on this issue and its consequences for children's development and mental health[1].
The report was based on a survey of 500 children between the ages of 8 and 12, revealing that a whopping 45% of the children surveyed preferred in-person, unsupervised free play with their friends[2]. However, more than 25% of the respondents said they weren't allowed to play in their own front yard without supervision[3].
The proverbial horror story of a stranger abducting a child playing in their front yard is relatively uncommon. In fact, approximately 50% of U.S. kidnapping cases are caused by family members, and another 27% are caused by acquaintances[4]. These statistics may help alleviate parents' concerns about their children's safety.
Despite this, parental fear has increased partly due to the constant stream of information enabled by technology and social media, which often highlights rare but dramatic risks. This distorts risk perception, making parents more protective and less likely to allow children to engage in outdoor or risky play[1][3].
The rise of technology and screen time has displaced outdoor and social play. Children spend more time on smartphones and devices, which limits social interaction needed for healthy social development (social deprivation)[2]. This, in turn, can lead to increased anxiety and mental health issues due to lack of resilient skill-building and social connection[1][2].
Moreover, screen overuse causes sleep disruption, affecting concentration, mood, and physical health[2]. It also fragments attention due to constant notifications, undermining children’s ability to deeply engage in challenging tasks developed through play[2].
The reduction in outdoor play affects children’s resilience, problem-solving abilities, social skills, and mental health[1][2]. Children who engage in risky play are more likely to develop resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Risky play supports stepping outside comfort zones, critical for emotional and cognitive development[1].
The consequences for children include increased anxiety and mental health issues due to lack of resilient skill-building and social connection[1][2]. Impaired attention and cognitive function due to attention fragmentation and sleep disruption caused by screen overuse[2] are also potential outcomes. Reduced physical activity and outdoor engagement, which also negatively impacts mental and physical health[3][5], are additional concerns.
In sum, the synergy of heightened parental fear driven by technology-enhanced risk awareness and the rise of screen-based activities reduces children's outdoor play time. This has broad ramifications for their developmental outcomes, including social skills, emotional resilience, cognitive focus, and mental health[1][2][3][5].
Mary-Faith Martinez, a writer with a degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics, has delved into this issue, providing insights into the complex interplay between technology, parental fear, and children's development.
References: [1] Skenazy, L., Rausch, Z., & Haidt, J. (2018). The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure. Penguin Books. [2] Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood--and What That Means for the Rest of Us. Atria Books. [3] Haidt, J. (2012). The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. Pantheon Books. [4] Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2011). National Crime Victimization Survey: Family and Stranger Violence. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvs11.pdf [5] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Media and Children: Time Spent with Entertainment Media. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/media-and-children-time-spent-with-entertainment-media.aspx
- The decrease in outdoor, unsupervised play due to increased parental fear may lead to a lack of resilient skill-building and social connection in children, potentially contributing to mental health issues.
- As Mary-Faith Martinez, a journalist covering news, psychology, and human interest topics, notes, there is a complex interplay between technology, parental fear, and children's development, with screen-based activities playing a significant role in this dynamic.
- Children who engage in risky play, such as playing outside without supervision, may develop emotional resilience, confidence, problem-solving skills, and important social skills, according to the report in The Atlantic by Skenazy, Rausch, and Haidt.
