- One in 10 would even prefer to do their homework than venture out the house
- Four in 10 youngsters in the city / town have never been camping, 46 per cent haven’t ever built a den or fort – and more than half are yet to climb a tree
Screen-obsessed children in Newcastle are turning their backs on the great outdoors – in favour of the ‘great indoors’, it has emerged, as parents admit that their kids spend more than twice as much time online than playing outside.
Research carried out by multi-sports retailer, Decathlon, found the average six to 16-year-old in the area enjoys a total of just seven hours a week outdoors – including weekends.
This compares to the typical ‘Fortnite Generation’ child in Newcastle who is now online for more than two hours every day playing on computer games, phones and tablets.
When kids in Newcastle were asked to pick an activity they would rather do than play outside, 11 per cent even said they prefer doing homework. Playing computer games came top of the list, followed by going on the internet and watching TV.
54 per cent of mums and dads in Newcastle admit they’re worried their children don’t spend enough time outdoors, and almost four in 10 have to force reluctant youngsters outside to play.
Furthermore, the research revealed that nearly three-quarters of parents in the city believe their children spend less time outdoors than they themselves did when they were young.
Researchers from One Poll also asked the city’s children whether they had ever enjoyed a string of outdoor activities, with four in 10 revealing they have never been camping.
And even of those who have, some said it was ‘too dirty’ and that they missed being able to play computer games too much to enjoy it.
More than half of Newcastle’s youngsters are yet to climb a tree and 46 per cent have never built a den or fort in real life.
Chris Allen, mountain sports manager at Decathlon UK, said: ‘’Children in Newcastle have more things than ever before to encourage them to stay inside – and it seems these gadgets are keeping them from enjoying the great outdoors.
‘’But this means many kids in the city are missing out on some of the experiences their parents had growing up – whether that’s building a den, climbing a tree or camping.
“We want to encourage local parents and their children to head outside and enjoy a real-life family adventure. Especially given Newcastle is so close to places like Northumberland which are ideal for a night under canvas!”