Are Kids Spending More Time Inside?

Written by Adreana Mendez

It’s nice to reminisce about those happy childhood days drenched in sunshine, jovial laughter and joyful screaming. These were times of exploring in the backyard, digging a hole to the other side of the world and playing pirates in the forest near the house. After school, kids flooded the streets, played at the park and when summer hit, awaited the arrival of the ice cream truck. Now the streets are often bare, the sounds of kids at the park have dwindled and when children are walking home from school, they usually have their heads facing a tiny screen in their hand.

Is Screen Use Contributing to the Problem?

Studies show children aged 5 to 16 average almost seven hours of screen time each day. This screen time includes video gaming, watching television or scrolling through social media. Teenage boys reportedly spend the most time online at an average of eight hours each day, whereas 8-year-old girls reportedly spend the least amount of time online at approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

According to several studies, parents are concerned about the increased use of screens, wishing instead for their kids to play outside. Unfortunately, work, ease and safety concerns are the many factors parents contribute to allowing their kids to spend more time indoors. Many experts credit the COVID-19 pandemic with creating a more internet-centric environment as parents struggled to telework and eased up on previous screen time restrictions in an effort to calm their children and keep them busy. One survey of over 3,000 parents found a 500% increase in screen time use during the pandemic.

Even something as simple as kids spending time outdoors is changing. Before the age of the internet, kids grew up outside, but now they live life in a different environment — the vast internet that extends even further than the backyard. The National Wildlife Federation reported that in 2012, children played for approximately four to seven minutes outside. The introduction of technology into children’s lives resulted in increased indoor activities (video game consoles, phone use and tablet use are considered indoor activities).

Children spend less time outside than kids did in the past, with adverse outcomes. Experts unveiled a troubling increase in overweight children between the ages of six and eleven in 24 years (1980–2004), partly attributed to less outdoor play.

Children are hesitant when it comes to playing outside. A poll conducted by the Nature Conservancy showed that 80% of kids dislike going outside because they don’t like the heat, bugs and discomfort in nature. In addition, 49% of kids cited their disinterest in nature. Children often opt for indoor activities that usually include screens.

What are the Benefits of Going Outside?

Experts recommend children reduce their screen time in favor of outdoor playtime due to its plethora of benefits. Some benefits include better vision, increased fitness, lower stress levels and a decreased risk of diseases.

Outdoor time can help combat increasing diagnoses of nearsightedness. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends spending at least ten minutes outside for exposure to vitamin D to reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes and bone issues.

In addition to physical health benefits, spending time outside increases school performance, fosters creativity and improves social skills.

Outdoor activities increase kids’ attention span since outside objects move slower than objects on a screen. When it comes to increasing social skills, children who organize and participate in unstructured group activities can better interact with others.

But most importantly, outdoor play is the secret to a longer and happier life.

Suggestions?

Experts suggest parents set certain outdoor time goals and parameters. Some experts encourage spending time in a garden or committing to a ‘green hour’ — an hour allotted just for outdoor play. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control note that free play and moderate activity are essential for lasting health. Experts note that simple activities like going on a quick walk, enjoying fishing or biking can benefit parents and kids alike.

The roadblocks to healthy development in children are the same for adults. Sedentary lifestyles, social isolation and distractions curb healthy development, and too much screen use can contribute to these issues.

Are Kids Really Spending More Time Inside?

The childhood many can remember spent playing tag, playing pretend in the woods behind the house and sliding on playground equipment is slowly fading as a new playground on the internet emerges. Some fault the pandemic for the increased screen use, while others believe the age of the internet is to blame. Either way, children must spend more time outside, either to curb various ailments or to increase motor, social and physical skills.

The world is changing, but this doesn’t mean that people should accept the change and move on. Kids are spending more time inside, which people must strive to remedy for the sake of the children and the sake of the changing world.