Children 'scared' to play outside

[sally37]

Children don't play outdoors much because they believe the outside world is not safe, a survey has shown.
Young people said they think the outdoors is dangerous and even if it was safe, there are not enough facilities laid on for them.

More than one in four kids asked said they didn't play outside as much as they'd like to.

"The Playday survey is a wake-up call," a Children's Society spokeswoman said. "We must protect children's right to play and ensure every child has access to outdoor public space. Play isn't a luxury," the spokeswoman added.


The research was carried out to mark national Playday, which takes place on Wednesday, and aims to encourage children to play more, both inside and outside.

Computer games

As well as not feeling safe, young people also said they didn't have enough time to play outside, as there were too many other things going on.

Play experts are worried that kids spend all their time in their bedrooms playing computer games and watching TV, rather than getting fresh air and exercise outside.

Health bosses are also worried about rising obesity levels among children as they don't get enough exercise.

I miss admit i don't go out that much cos i don't think its safe and some of time i can't be bothered.But if you walk home froms your mates and you scared to walk back cos im like that i ask my dad or mum to pick me up cos i heard rumours round my way and two years ago we had this man outside are school gates all the time which was scaring me

[-Soph-]

thats quite bad...

[Mentor]

the currant solacal climet of fear tactics is to blame,
the avege person these days thinks
Every strange is most likly a pedofie
if i childe goes out on its own, it will be uducted or have an accident.

statistcic beeing complty ignored, compar this to a socal climet of about 10 or so years ago "/

[Absently]

I don't hang out withmy mates anymore coz i don't really like going outside i've bcome very lazy on the computer the whole time mymum said shes gona lock the computer room and never let any1 of my family 2 use it again i don't even want 2 go shopping i just wanna stay inside my housee i av not really left the house this summer i just can't b bothered going outside

[fun.in.da.sun]

herd tht on radio

[sally37]

I don't hang out withmy mates anymore coz i don't really like going outside i've bcome very lazy on the computer the whole time mymum said shes gona lock the computer room and never let any1 of my family 2 use it again i don't even want 2 go shopping i just wanna stay inside my housee i av not really left the house this summer i just can't b bothered going outside

same im like that ive been to cinema today tho and wat tylor yesturday
and my mum keeps saying she get rid of the computer or give the plug to my grandad soooooooooo unfair

[Anger]

Where i live i dont think kids would wont to play out side couple of months ago a boy was nearly snatched a road away from me and a week a go boy in our road got nearly taken in a van outside his house

[xJoeYx]

From a different point of view... I think many kids just use the whole safety thing as an exscuse, so they can stay inside and play computer games and eat.
Over the summer holidays I go out 6 days a week, today I was out from 12 to 11, I can't stand being stuck inside, its boring, I want to live.
Though leaway must be given to those kids stuck in run down areas where it really is unsafe to go out.

[Wayne]

Nice thread, and info.

I used to be addicted to my pc, I was always on Habbo, and MSN, and things, but now I've forced myself to go out. By the way, it's not hard to move your bum off the chair and go out somewhere nice

[dobzy]

It is quite patronising walking around outside, if you're on your own going somewhere ie: walking to a friends house.
If you're with people, it's no so bad.

I also hate being outside in the dark, or evenings because everything seems to magnify in scare fcator.