Children in the UK spend more time inside the house than their peers in other countries, according to new research.
Some 12,000, parents across the UK, the US, Portugal, Brazil, China, South Africa, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Vietnam were questioned about their children’s play habits to see how screen-based activities compare to outdoor activities and games.
The study found 74% of British children were said to have an hour or less of outdoor activity a day against an international average of 56%. Nearly 20% of children were found not to go outdoors at all for play on a typical day.
The blame was put by 70% of parents on the weather and this was the case for most of the countries irrespective of having greater or lesser sunshine.
Once indoors, British parents estimated that their offspring spend 26% of their time in front of a screen. The average time reported globally was 21%.
Other reasons given were lack of parental time and fear of danger
Sir Ken Robinson, an author and education expert, who is advising the project, said:
“Academic research shows that active play is the natural and primary way that children learn.
“It is essential to their healthy growth and progress, particularly during periods of rapid brain development.”
The research was conducted on behalf of the makers of Persil washing powder for its advertising campaign with the slogan “dirt is good”.
