It is a well known fact that this generation of younger kids have been spending less time doing outside activities and more time indoors, causing many problems.

  There are many different reasons that kids are not doing more outside activities and it is mainly because of the newer technology to entertain themselves making it unnecessary to go outside. 

  “Today, our kids are organized in every sport and even recreational sport,” said Zach Even a writer for Florida Today. “There are sport bubbles everywhere and business is booming because we’re afraid that our kids are getting fresh air, playing, having fun and learning how to figure things out on their own.”

Many kids in this generation are not doing many athletic sports-like activities and getting the ‘fresh-air’ they deserve. This can cause problems in their life later on.

Having a healthy childhood and spending real quality time outside is almost an essential part of growing up. It is recommended by doctors to get at least 60 min of physical activities each day.

In this generation, it is almost over common for parents to supply their kids with technology-riddin items for their entertainment uses, making it another excuse to stay inside more. 

“Parents, grateful for ways to calm disruptive children and keep them from interrupting their own screen activities, seem to be unaware of the potential harm from so much time spent in the virtual world,” said Jane Brody a writer for the New York Times.

Not only are kids not going outside enough but young children are getting affected by screen-time. Just like looking at TV screens or iPads, the damage that is caused by these things can be very impactful on someone’s life in the future.

“Studies have found that children who spend more time indoors are more likely to develop nearsightedness (myopia),” said Ayesha Malik in an interview with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Not only does this affect eyes but sleep too. According to CHOP, the blue screen light that appears on technology devices can stimulate your brain into thinking it is daytime, causing Insomnia in some cases.

“Exercise or physical activity is especially important because it helps control weight, reduces blood pressure, raises in cholesterol, reduces the risk of diabetes and some kinds of cancer and improves psychological well-being of a child,” according to the American Heart Association.

  Additionally according to the Washington Post children getting more outside experience can benefit in school performance and creativity, along with social skills. It can also prevent depression and hyperactivity.

“Time in nature is soothing, improves mood and reduces stress. It can also increase kids’ attention span, because things move at a slower pace than they do on the screen,” said Collin O’Mara, a writer for the Washington Post. 

In addition, a longer life span and healthier adult life can also be one of the many positive benefits that come out of just going outside.

“Since the 1990s researchers have noticed a shift in how children spend their free time, said  O’Mara,. “The days of the free-range childhood, where kids spend hours outside playing in local parks, building forts, fording streams and climbing trees, have been mostly replaced by video games, television watching and organized activities such as sports and clubs.”

Although it might seem more comforting and harmless to spending so much time inside, it can affect one physically and mentally by not spending more time out the doors.