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4w ago

NSPCC Childhood Day Highlights Decline in Daily In-Person Play

Safety fears are cited by a third of parents as the main barrier to daily in-person play, survey finds

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Parents say children are spending less time playing outside, with safety fears and screen time among the main barriers
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Overview

  • A YouGov survey of 4,017 UK parents commissioned by the NSPCC found that just 25% of children under 18 play face-to-face with a friend or family member every day.
  • More than half of parents believe their own childhood was safer (63%), easier (54%) and filled with better experiences (55%) than that of their children.
  • Parents expressed a strong desire for more in-person play, with 59% saying they want their children to spend less time online and more time socializing offline.
  • For children aged 12–16, daily online gaming rises to 35% while only 21% engage in daily in-person play, highlighting a generational shift toward digital interaction.
  • On its fourth annual Childhood Day, the NSPCC is calling on families to join community play events and to donate or volunteer to support vital child protection services.