Technology - How this has affected outdoor play?

Technology has an ever greater role in children’s lives, and its effects are always debatable. It is easy for advocates of nature, outdoor play and everyday childhood freedoms to think that screens and gadgets are the cause. But what are the real effects that technology has on outdoor play... Things are a little more complicated than jumping to the simple conclusion that children don't go outside because of technology.

Too much structure: "An 8-year-old going to school, taking piano, swimming, quantum physics and ninja training on the weekend."

Lacking the chance and encouragement to "go out and play," make up their own games and use their imaginations: "People don't let their kids wander around." and "Neighbourhoods are just dorms with trees."

These quotes by real parents are good examples of other reasons that contribute to why children don't spend time outside. There are other important factors that play a bog role in why children don't play outside, and a lot of it involves adults, parents and caregivers.

It is important to take a step back, and really acknowledge that it's not only technology that deprives children from spending time outside, but also the over baring structure and the lack of giving children the chance to even go outside that heavily impact the low numbers of children that go outside to play.

References:

1. https://rethinkingchildhood.com/2013/10/23/technology-outdoor-childhood/

2. https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/living/let-children-play-outside/index.html