During the school Easter holidays, we are encouraging families to ‘Spring Into Action’ and enjoy the great British outdoors.
Our research reveals that we are an unhealthy generation and this is having a negative impact on the health of our kids; more children are able to navigate a tablet or smartphone than ride a bike or swim.
Are children missing out on the experiences we had as children – climbing trees, getting muddy and playing out till sunset? Here at BMF, we’re ready to shake things up and change this trend!
We are running a campaign this Easter to raise awareness of the heath issues associated with how much time is being spent online rather than outdoors – let’s encourage children to get on their bikes, play in the parks and explore the woods.
The Research: More than half of children can’t tie their shoe laces, but can take a selfie…
We at British Military Fitness conducted British wide research with children aged 2-12 and while almost two thirds (63%) of them can easily take a selfie, more than half (52%) don’t know how to tie their shoe laces!
Are gadgets to blame? Our research revealed that children will be spending a huge 6 days, 18 hours and 40 minutes on digital devices across the Easter Holidays – that’s nearly one full week of their two-week break indoors and online.
It seems that back-to-basics skills are being forgotten: almost half of children (45%) don’t know how to tell the time, 29% of children cannot read and 41% struggle to play a sport.
In today’s digital age, children’s time is being invested in technology: two thirds (67%) of children can confidently use an iPhone, more than half (58%) own an iPad yet 41% of children don’t own a football, and 39% own a PlayStation to be able to play FIFA online!
For the majority, this is the way they like it. 58% of kids prefer to play on iPads and games rather than play outside. 38% are unable to ride a bike, 54% cannot use a skipping rope and 48% don’t know how to play hop scotch.
Once regarded as a punishment, it seems banning children from playing outside no longer works! Only 2% of parents still choose this tactic over others due the fact that only 6% of children play outside each day. Banning children from using their digital devices is the new go-to method of discipline.
Although parents say they worry less about their child when they’re indoors and online rather than outdoors, 30% have concerns over the effect this has on their health.
Now you can get involved! #SpringIntoAction
To celebrate the launch of our Spring Into Action campaign, we’re giving you the chance to win an outdoor family adventure for the whole family and a BMF fitness pass for three months.
How to enter:
Share your outdoor family memories We want to see pictures of you getting muddy going for a walk or simply enjoying time outdoors with your family. Post the image on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #SpringIntoAction
The competition launches Sunday 20th March, 2016 and the winner will be chosen at the end of the Easter break, on Monday 11th April, 2016.
Photos ©Philip Dignum Photography - www.philipdignum.com
