Is screen time causing a lack of outdoor play this summer?

More than five million UK parents say their children have no access to safe outdoor spaces within walking distance of their home, contributing to a continued decline in them playing outside.

That’s according to housebuilder Redrow’s second annual community play report which has revealed, just ahead of the summer holidays, two thirds (65%) of grandparents and 61% of parents say children today are continuing to spend less time outside than they did growing up. 

Two in five parents say their children do not play outdoors independently because there are no safe routes for them to walk or cycle, while 52% say their worries about the general safety of society has impacted how much outdoor play and independence their child is able to have.

Ryan spoke to child psychologist Professor Helen Dodd.