{"id":4993,"date":"2026-08-19T14:03:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T14:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/19\/kids-now-banned-from-playing-out-until-11\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T14:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T14:04:00","slug":"kids-now-banned-from-playing-out-until-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/19\/kids-now-banned-from-playing-out-until-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids now banned from playing out until 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-08-19 14:03:58<\/b>
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Children are being given less freedom to play outside alone, with parents now allowing them to roam independently at an average age of almost 11.

\nA University of Exeter survey of nearly 2,000 parents and caregivers found children were typically allowed independent outdoor play at 10.8 years old, compared with 9.7 years for their parents.

\nMore than half, 56 per cent, said they let their children play independently at an older age than they were allowed to when growing up.

\nThe generation gap is even more striking when it comes to street play. Children now spend just 25 minutes a week playing outside in the street, while their parents and grandparents would spend hours away from home.

\nExperts warn that youngsters are missing out on fresh air, independence and the mental health benefits of outdoor play.

\nProfessor Helen Dodd, director of the university’s new Outdoor Play Research Centre, said: \u201cThe generational play gap revealed in our new research provides more evidence that children across the country are missing out on opportunities for independent outdoor play.

\n\u201cMany of us have fond childhood memories of playing out until the street lights came on, enjoying our first taste of freedom, yet today’s children are missing out on those same experiences.

\n\u201cThe Outdoor Play Research Centre is being founded on the principle that we must do better for our children.

\n\u201cWe want to see a step change for children’s independent outdoor play.

\n\u201cWe will conduct the scientific research needed to drive this change and work in partnership with a wide range of organisations to deliver it.\u201d

\nResearchers blamed the decline on busy roads, a lack of suitable play spaces and increasing screen time.

\nThe Exeter team says independent outdoor play is linked to fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression and greater happiness among five to 11-year-olds.

\nPrevious research also found children who played outdoors more frequently at ages two, three and four were more likely to maintain good mental health into middle childhood.

\nFor every additional day of outdoor play during the preschool years, the odds of having a healthy mental health profile at age eight increased by between 6 and 14 per cent.

\nAmber Ogunsanya-William, an inclusive play consultant and NSPCC Champion of Childhood, said: \u201cPlay isn’t a privilege, it’s a fundamental part of development, ensuring children have the tools they need to mature into adults.\u201d
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