Why Aren't Kids Playing Outside Anymore?

Over this last week, I listened to a short clip on YouTube with former NBA Legends Shaquil O'Neal and Gary Payton.

The question asked to them was, Why  Aren't Kids  Playing Anymore?

Their answers were pretty striaght forward

Gone are the days when we hear kids cheering and laughing, see them riding bikes, running around, or bouncing a ball.

So Why Aren't Kids Playing Outside Anymore?

Safety 

As parents, one of our major priorities is to protect our children. With so much happening in the world, we want to keep a close eye on our kids, and we have become wary and distrustful of the outside world.

Kids need an outlet to express themselves. This can lead to boredom and kids turning to technology.

A few ways around this is to form a group with parents and arrange sports days, where you can supervise and control the environment or work together with your child by setting out a time and place to watch and play with your child at the field or courts.

Technology and Social Media

In our lives today, there is a lot of technology around. This technology is aimed at grabbing kids' attention and can be addictive.

We will see many kids playing video games or scrolling down on YouTube. The effects of technology and social media can lead to kids needing help to socialize, solve problems, and communicate with their peers.

Despite the negativity around technology, social media are powerful tools for kids to gain knowledge. Parents can influence what they watch and the amount of screen time.

Schedule Lifestyle

A lot of pressure is on kids from their school and parents. Their lives have become increasingly structured and managed. This structured lifestyle may involve sports teams, extra mural activities, or homework that prevents children from enjoying free play. 

Parents also have hectic lives, so it is easier to fill a child's days with extra activities so they will not get bored and flip on the TV or play video games when they get home.

With too much structure, kids lose their imagination and need help to set goals and make decisions. By having kids play, they will learn to take responsibility and will be able to empower themselves by making decisions and problem-solving.

Society

Recently, there has been the erosion of the community, which used to provide an extensive network of trust and support among families and children in the neighborhood.

Nowadays, it's rare for people to know their neighbors. This is related to the decline in trust among people in the communities.

Communities that have activities and organize events that promote free play can grow networks, develop a sense of trust among people, and allow kids to have a sense of belonging.

Play is a powerful way to impart social skills. It teaches kids how to manage their emotions, such as fear and anger. Kids will learn life lessons like negotiation, resilience, and problem-solving through play.

During Play, kids feel powerful, and it's their practice world for being an adult.