Why are children spending more time indoors?

Why are children spending more time indoors?  #

By Kristel Alla at Australian Institute of Family Studies 
Policy and practice paper | July 2024 #

This resource describes what the research says about why young children (0–5 years) are spending more time indoors and considers what this could mean for their wellbeing. This paper also provides some considerations for practitioners and other professionals working to support parents with practical solutions to encourage children to play outside and support families to reduce time indoors.

Key messages #

• Young children (0–5 years) are spending more time indoors than in the past, a trend that has been increasing over recent years.
• Children spending less time outdoors may negatively impact their wellbeing and development.
• Some key reasons why children are spending more time indoors include: fewer nature spaces where children can play, increased use of electronic devices, and study being prioritised over play (e.g. learning spelling or maths rather than playing).
• Practitioners can support parents and children to incorporate outdoor play into their activities and encourage families to balance children’s screen time with time in nature.

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