Largest study of play in UK finds trend for risk-adverse parents banning adventurous play

The largest study of play in the UK has found Britain is seeing a trend for risk adverse parents, who are restricting children from playing independently as well as stopping them taking part in adventurous play.

The British Children’s Play Survey asked 1,919 parents about children’s play for those aged five to 11.

While parents said that on average they were allowed out alone to play before the age of nine, the current generation of primary school children were not given the same independence until they were nearly 11.

The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research into Public Health found the average age that a child was allowed to play outside alone was just before their 11th birthday (an average of 10.74 years). Furthermore, parents who took part in the study were relatively risk adverse in relation to their children’s play, according to researchers who found they restricted adventurous play such as climbing trees and riding a bike fast down a hill.

Helen Dodd, Professor of Child Psychology at the University of Reading who led the study said: “In the largest study of play in Britain, we can clearly see that there is a trend to be protective and to provide less freedom for our children now than in previous generations. As this is the largest study of its kind, it gives us the data to back up what many have observed is happening. The reasons for this shift are complex but likely due, at least in part, to concerns about stranger danger and the increase in traffic in the neighbourhoods where children live and play.”

The report revealed that primary school children on average, are getting just three hours of play a day over the course of a year, with around half of play taking place outside.

Professor Dodd added: “The concerns we have from this report are twofold. First, we are seeing children getting towards the end of their primary school years without having had enough opportunities to develop their ability to assess and manage risk independently. Second, if children are getting less time to play outdoors in an adventurous way, this may have an impact on their mental health and overall wellbeing.”

The team of child psychologists from the University of Reading are looking at the relationship between risk-taking in play and the benefits for children’s mental health. Their findings suggest that although children spend a reasonable amount of time outside, they may be missing out on many of the freedoms, particularly to explore and play in an adventurous way, that previous generations enjoyed.

Professor Helen Dodd called for urban planners to ensure all children have access to playgrounds and green spaces that are “engaging and interesting places for children’s play”.

Dr Tim Gill, global advocate for children's play and mobility and author of Urban Playground: How child-friendly planning and design can save cities, said: "Thanks to the pandemic, we all know what lockdown feels like. This groundbreaking study shows that British children have been subject to a gradual, creeping lockdown over at least a generation.

“The reasons are different, with social changes, safety fears, technology and traffic growth all arguably playing a part. However, the end result for all too many children is the same: boredom, isolation, inactivity, and poorer mental and physical health. The consequences for their development and well-being should not be underestimated."

Anita Grant, chair of Play England added: “Play outdoors is fundamentally important for children to develop a sense of self and a relationship with the world around them.

"Adults' protective instincts are not helpful when they restrict and control exploration, creativity and a child’s natural instinct to engage with their environment freely. Children need to learn how to risk assess and make good decisions. Play is the way that children grow and develop, building experiences and skills that will make them resilient and for this they need time, space and freedom.”