Screens are becoming the first choice when children get bored
When boredom sets in, children are increasingly turning to screens instead of make-believe, a new survey suggests.
The poll, commissioned by toy maker Playmobil, found that children ages 4 to 9 were more than twice as likely to reach for a screen as to invent a game, story, or imaginary world. Twenty-eight percent said they would use a screen or ask for one, while 12% said they would make something up to play.
The U.K.-wide survey questioned 2,000 parents and 2,000 children. More than half of the parents, 54%, said they felt guilty about relying on screens to keep their children occupied.
A quick fix
During school holidays, when parents may be working, 27% said their children spend between three and four hours a day on screens. And 86% said screens had partly displaced at least one toy or activity their child used to enjoy.
The trend echoes the premise of “Toy Story 5,” where Woody, Buzz, and the others compete with a tablet for Bonnie’s attention.
Many parents would like their children to spend more time playing imaginatively: 74% said they wished that were the case. But children also want more involvement from adults. Thirty-eight percent said they wished their parents would play with them more often.
Making room for play
Some parents said they struggle to get imaginative play started. Twenty-one percent said they sometimes run out of ideas, while 28% said the demands of daily life leave them little time to join in.
Research psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer said the results do not necessarily mean children have lost their imaginations. Screens may simply be the quickest, most familiar option when they are bored. She suggested that parents offer a prompt, idea, or challenge, then let children carry it forward themselves.
There may not be much time to wait: children in the survey thought they became too old for pretend play at an average age of 9.76.
And children aren’t the only ones drawn to screens. Another finding from the Playmobil research showed that 28% of children wished their parents would put their phones away more often.
Perhaps children still have plenty of ideas. They may just want someone to join in.
