REDUCTION IN CHILDREN PLAYING IN THEIR LOCAL
STREETS
30 July 2007
Figures released today for Playday 2007 show that
regularly playing outdoors near home is much less common for
today’s children than for previous generations. An ICM survey
commissioned by Play England for Playday shows that 71 per cent of
adults played outside in the street or area close to their homes
every day when they were children, compared to only 21 per cent of
children today.
Both children and adults considered traffic
to be the main factor that stops children and young people playing
or spending time in the streets or areas near their homes, with
nearly 1 in 4 children and 35 per cent of adults listing it as one
of their top three barriers to street play.
29 per cent of under-18s and 39 per cent of adults said that
more play spaces would make children and young people play on the
streets and areas near their homes more often. Less danger from
traffic was the second most popular solution given by adults (23
per cent), and children put less traffic in their top three
solutions.
Now in its 20th year, Playday is the annual
celebration of children’s right to play, when over 100,000 children
across the UK join in hundreds of play events in their
neighbourhoods. This year’s theme – Our streets too! –
highlights that children want and need to play in their local
streets – and have the right to be there. Events, on 1 August 2007,
will include traditional street games, pavement art, skateboarding
and cycling, and will take place at street parties and large
community events in local parks.
‘It should be a big concern to everyone that adults tell us they
were more than three times more likely to play out when they were
young than children are today. The space to play and the freedom
that children have to enjoy it has diminished to the point that
many children are being effectively raised in captivity,’ said
Adrian Voce, director of Play England. ‘The decline in
child-friendly public space, the increase in cars on our roads and
the demonisation of children and young people are all factors
hindering children’s opportunities to play.
‘The street or area where they live is – or should be – an
essential part of a child’s home life, it is where children have
played for time immemorial, but the modern world is making streets
into a no-go zone for children. Government, local authorities and
adults collectively need to do more to ensure that children don’t
miss out on the essential childhood experiences that form many
adults’ happiest memories.’
To mark Playday, Play England has published a body of research,
whichlooks at attitudes towards street play and the benefits it
brings, it also investigates the barriers children and young people
face, and outlines what we should be doing to compensate for the
decline in recent years.
Also available are top tips for parents and other adults on
encouraging and supporting children to play outside near their home
and in their community.
- Ends -
Notes for editors:
1.The Playday survey was carried out by ICM Research. They
interviewed a random sample of 1030 children and young people aged
7 – 16 across the UK by telephone between 25 June – 8 July
2007.
ICM Research also interviewed a random sample of 1031 adults
aged 18 + by telephone between 6 – 8 July 2007. Interviews were
conducted across the UK and the results have been weighted to the
profile of all adults.
ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its
rules. Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk.
2.To arrange an interview with a Playday expert, find
information on local Playday events, or to get good practice case
studies from across the UK, call Clare Quarrell or Clare Lilley on
020 7843 6044/6047 or email media@ncb.org.uk.
3.For further information on specific local Playday events visit
the Playday website at www.playday.org.uk.
4.Playday is the annual celebration of children’s right to play.
Playday is coordinated by Play England (formerly the Children’s
Play Council), part of the National Children’s Bureau,
working in partnership with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play
Scotland and Play Wales. Now in its 20th year, the national
campaign involves thousands of children and young people getting
out to play at locally organised events. Playday events range from
small-scale neighbourhood get-togethers to large-scale public
events organised by local authorities and national
organisations.
5.Play England promotes excellent free play opportunities for
all children and young people. Play England provides advice and
support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the
importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the
public. Play England is supported by the Big Lottery Fund. For
further information visit www.playengland.org.uk.
6.The National Children’s Bureau promotes the voices, interests
and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect
of their lives. As an umbrella body for the children’s sector
in England and Northern Ireland, we provide essential information
on policy, research and best practice for our members and other
partners. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk.
For further information on this release
contact:
Clare Quarrell, Anna Tombs or Clare Lilly, NCB Media
Office
Tel: 020 7843 6044/6045/6047
Email: media@ncb.org.uk