(Photo Source: pbs.org)

Childhood Is Changing As We Know It

Kids today aren’t spending nearly as much time outdoors as their parents did, according to a new study conducted in the United Kingdom. The survey found that four out of five parents said they spend more time outside than their kids do.

“We spend up to 90% of our lives indoors and have become an indoor generation. The survey shows that British people do want to combat this, and it’s crucial that we find ways to let nature back into our daily lives again. Letting in natural light and fresh air to the home could be one among many ways to re-establish our connection to nature,” said Peter Foldbjerg, energy and indoor climate expert.

This is troubling news since another study found that kids who spend more time outdoors grow into happier adults. A Danish study released in the spring of 2019 showed that people who reported more outdoor time in their childhood were less likely to suffer from a host of mental health disorders as adults.

The good news is that parents are committed to changing the way their kids spend their playtime. They told British researchers they would like to steer kids toward more outdoor play and less time inside with video games and tablets. Four out of five parents said they “believe that having access to nature has a positive effect on their wellbeing and mental health.”