Children spend almost a week of the summer holidays watching TV
Television will come to the rescue of time-poor parents this summer, as new research finds children will spend over six days watching it during the school holidays.
uSwitch.com surveyed 2,010 UK parents with children under the age of 11 in May 2017 and found:
The survey also found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that parents think their children would much rather play computer games (19%), watch TV (18%) and use iPads or tablets (18%) over more 'traditional' activities such as drawing and painting (16%), attending activity clubs (14%) and reading (12%).
However, more than half (52%) of parents believe that trips to the park are one of the top three ways to keep their brood entertained over the summer, with other popular activities including playing in the garden (49%) and day trips to the seaside (29%), rather than watching TV (14%). So all is not lost!
Screen-ban
We were interested to see that 79% of parents surveyed would consider imposing a screen-ban for their children during the summer holidays while more than three quarters (76%) would consider limiting TV viewing time. Meanwhile, 70% would consider limiting access to games consoles, more than two thirds of parents (69%) would think about limiting mobile phone use and 68% would consider reducing PC or laptop screen time.
Of those who would consider limiting screen time, the average limit parents are contemplating is two hours and 12 minutes, with a third (60%) of parents stating they'd look to limit their child’s screen time to between two and five hours. Around a third (36%) of parents were stricter, explaining that they would limit this to just one hour.
So what does this all mean? It means summer holidays in the modern age aren't all ice creams at the seaside and that TV and the internet come to the rescue of parents who perhaps can't get time off work or can't afford day trips.
If you are looking to entertain your child this summer, why not appeal to their imaginative side with activity book This Book Stinks? Aimed at children 8 - 12 years, it allows young readers to complete a different activity on each page. Once complete, the kids are left with a messy, fun scrapbook that will allow them to remember their trip.
Alternatively, if you are concerned about the amount of screen-time your child is having, Virtually Me is an activity book outlining online safety in a fun and accessible way. Aimed at 10 - 14 year olds, it doesn't patronise; instead, it encourages children to better understand both the good and bad sides of the internet, including online games and social media platforms. Virtually Me eventually leads them to creating their own personal guide to getting the best out of the internet – and doing so safely.
uSwitch.com surveyed 2,010 UK parents with children under the age of 11 in May 2017 and found:
- Over three quarters (76%) of children will watch on-demand TV this summer, while seven in ten (71%) will use tablets to watch TV - just behind watching it live (91%)
- Kids call the shots - the availability of children’s TV channels is the most important factor (37%) for parents when picking television services
- 79% of parents would consider imposing a screen ban for their kids during the holidays
The survey also found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that parents think their children would much rather play computer games (19%), watch TV (18%) and use iPads or tablets (18%) over more 'traditional' activities such as drawing and painting (16%), attending activity clubs (14%) and reading (12%).
However, more than half (52%) of parents believe that trips to the park are one of the top three ways to keep their brood entertained over the summer, with other popular activities including playing in the garden (49%) and day trips to the seaside (29%), rather than watching TV (14%). So all is not lost!
Screen-ban
We were interested to see that 79% of parents surveyed would consider imposing a screen-ban for their children during the summer holidays while more than three quarters (76%) would consider limiting TV viewing time. Meanwhile, 70% would consider limiting access to games consoles, more than two thirds of parents (69%) would think about limiting mobile phone use and 68% would consider reducing PC or laptop screen time.
Of those who would consider limiting screen time, the average limit parents are contemplating is two hours and 12 minutes, with a third (60%) of parents stating they'd look to limit their child’s screen time to between two and five hours. Around a third (36%) of parents were stricter, explaining that they would limit this to just one hour.
So what does this all mean? It means summer holidays in the modern age aren't all ice creams at the seaside and that TV and the internet come to the rescue of parents who perhaps can't get time off work or can't afford day trips.
If you are looking to entertain your child this summer, why not appeal to their imaginative side with activity book This Book Stinks? Aimed at children 8 - 12 years, it allows young readers to complete a different activity on each page. Once complete, the kids are left with a messy, fun scrapbook that will allow them to remember their trip.
Alternatively, if you are concerned about the amount of screen-time your child is having, Virtually Me is an activity book outlining online safety in a fun and accessible way. Aimed at 10 - 14 year olds, it doesn't patronise; instead, it encourages children to better understand both the good and bad sides of the internet, including online games and social media platforms. Virtually Me eventually leads them to creating their own personal guide to getting the best out of the internet – and doing so safely.
What do you have planned for your kids during the summer holidays? Tweet us at id_withheld.
Related posts:
Should we allow children to get bored?
Can living in the ‘now’ make you a better parent?
Header image via flickr
Article written by: Katy Ratican
Date: 18th July 2017
Related posts:
Should we allow children to get bored?
Can living in the ‘now’ make you a better parent?
Header image via flickr
Article written by: Katy Ratican
Date: 18th July 2017
