UK Children Prefer Outside Play to Videogames

[Akeldama]

A survey by the Children's Play Council has found that the majority of children would much prefer playing outside with friends rather than spend hours in front of a games console. Over 500 children aged seven to 14 were surveyed by the Children's Play Council and the results fly in the face of the current perception of square eyed videogame addicts portrayed in the media. You can read more on this story (http://ps2.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=12034) over at Boomtown.

[everar]

This must be why the UK comes in at 43 for "Happiest Nations" while the US lawls ahead at 23.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-07/uol-uol072706.php

[The Continental]

I don't see this is as being some startling revelation. As a kid who grew up in the Nintendo era, video games, like any idle indoor activity were usually something you did after you wore your ass out all day doing something outside.

As for the massive eatbeasts that pass for children these days, I'd chalk that up to government subsidies for corn ensuring that worst possible food (nutrionally) is also the cheapest and most readily available, combined with a public that doesn't care to educate itself on what it's eating.

[Akeldama]

This must be why the UK comes in at 43 for "Happiest Nations" while the US lawls ahead at 23.

The survey is skewed by the fact in the UK we are rather happy being miserable. It tends to confound the figures somewhat. :)

[Wombat]

Come on, children aren't stupid. I'm sure that many of them gave the answer the surveyers obviously wanted them to give.

[atariv8]

My son prefers to play outside. It's mostly the parents fault if they sit around and play video games all day. If I want the easy way out on a Saturday I'll plop down next to him and we play 360 all day. But if I take the initiative and tell him we're going to the park, the pool, or just out back, he'll go without argument. We're both highly addicted to video games and I do take the easy way out alot, but I always feel guilty afterward. Let's just say the wife helps me stay on the wagon.

[phantomhitman]

kids need the int3n3ts

[Deadend]

of course UK kids don't play games, they are heavily overpriced and come out too damn late there. Also American kids play games so much because of overprotective parents who don't let their kids go outside or anything.

[captainstrombosis]

I don't see this study being definitive of anything.

1. I was a kid who loved videogames, but I stilled played outside ALL the time.
2. Kids almost always pick up on answers people want them to give, and they do it.

I don't doubt that most kids love playing outside. I just don't like the way these studies are done.

[Abednigo]

I'm glad I saved this on my PC when it first went online.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v480/jjmahoney/frisbee.jpg

[Cool AN]

This seems strange to me, since Britian is the largest console market in Europe.

[Stormwatcher]

Of course the KIDS are mostly playing outside. The target demographic for videogames is 16-35 yrs old.

[Kefkataran]

Anyone else think a survey of a mere 500 kids isn't worth that much?

[Heretic Machine]

All five hundred kids were probably picked as the surveyers came by them... which means that they wouldn't come across a gamer unless they were activley searching the bedrooms of every home with a kid inside. They are busy being not-outside and trying to save the world. :)

[sanatos]

500 is plenty. Although it seems like a small percent of the population, and it is, that's a pretty decent size to apply statistical methods on.

I really hate how statistical information is presented to the public; they don't tell you what math they're doing or where their numbers come from, so it's impossible to tell if it actually means anything.

[Sensei-X]

I wonder how the question was asked.

Survey Guy: Son, would you mind answering a quick question for our survey, it's about videogames?
Kid: Uh, sure.
Survey Guy: Okay, answer this question as truthfully as possible, would you rather partake of physical activity by playing outside with your friends, or would you prefer to sit in front of the idiot box playing brain cell destroying console games, that will no doubt result in you living in your parents basement until you die from a heart attack at 37 because all the greasy pizza and lack of any exercise has clogged your arteries. Oh, and you will die a virgin because playing games will make you an anti-social, disgusting slob, that no woman wants within 100 meters of her.
Kid: Uh, play..outside.?.
Survey Guy: Nice choice

[Kefkataran]

500 is plenty. Although it seems like a small percent of the population, and it is, that's a pretty decent size to apply statistical methods on.

You sure? I just took a stats class and this seems out of whack. Then again, I hated that class and skipped it once a week, so whatever.

[Deadend]

If the sampling is random, it may be ok, but if the sample is biased based on kids on the footy team, well, that is all messed up.

Yes, I used too many commas.

[blast flame]

That is unconforting. Are we going to have another genaration of jocks after us geeks get into power?

[captainstrombosis]

That is unconforting. Are we going to have another genaration of jocks after us geeks get into power?

I hope so, I need someone to landscape my property!

[Franjo]

even as an adult, I'd hit up the basketball court on a nice day in an instant over video games

[blast flame]

I hope so, I need someone to landscape my property!
True. We need about two more genarations of jocks before we can replace them with robots.

[Thenetcase]

Hell, I don't know about you lard assed addicts, but I'd much rather go out and do something fun outside. Like kayaking, ultimate frisbee (is fun), swimming etc.
What's not to enjoy about that? You get healthy AND you have fun at the same time. Then when you're done, you come home, shower off, eat a hamburger and play games... since it's dark by that point and the night is good for gaming anyways.

Daylight is questionable.

-TNC-

[sanatos]

The common rule of thumb is 10% of the population (here UKglish kids ages 7-14) or 40 observations. Mind you, the smaller piece of the population your study covers, the larger margin of error you tend to get, which this study neglects to report. Nothing says "sketchy survey" like not giving you even the most basic information required to interpret it. I swear that when I get out of school I will use my statistical powers for good and not evil. Okay, maybe a little evil.

[Kefkataran]

Yes, margin of error! That's what I was trying to think of. Thank you. That makes sense.

[blast flame]

Hell, I don't know about you lard assed addicts, but I'd much rather go out and do something fun outside. Like kayaking, ultimate frisbee (is fun), swimming etc.
What's not to enjoy about that? You get healthy AND you have fun at the same time. Then when you're done, you come home, shower off, eat a hamburger and play games... since it's dark by that point and the night is good for gaming anyways.

Daylight is questionable.

-TNC-
I hate outdoor activitys with every centermeter of my soul. In fact I am a member of a number of anti-sport organisations inclueding the infamous anti-football league. And before you call me fat I'm underwieght.

[Steele Johnson]

If my kid preferred video games over outdoor play, I'd really need to crack down and do something about it. I'd never get to play!

[Chameleo]

i prefer outdoors but gaming is so much easier.

though it leaves me feeling empty afterwards....

[atariv8]

You got that right Steele. I thought it would be awsome the day my son and I could play together, but he hogs the freakin thing. When his little brother is old enough to play, and not just sit there with a controller in his hand while I take a picture, I'll definately have to give up, go outside and mow the lawn, paint the house or some shit. When I do play after they go to bed, my oldest makes me feel guilty cause he wanted to see the level I had played...so I play it AGAIN!

[Johan]

You sure? I just took a stats class and this seems out of whack. Then again, I hated that class and skipped it once a week, so whatever.

How often did the class meet? If it met twice a week, then you missed 50% of classes, statistically, which makes me inclined to think the opposite of what you said about stats in this situation ;)

Though I actually thought the same thing as you (seems like a small sample size), and I took two stats courses (and I went to all of them...but slept through them, mostly ;)...hence, I don't trust myself on the stats situation, either!)

i prefer outdoors but gaming is so much easier.

though it leaves me feeling empty afterwards....

My suggestion; keep a bowl of chips and a beer/soda nearby, and a copy of something by Sartre, Nietzsche, or a religious figure. Browse the pages (with game paused) when you're feeling spiritually empty...eat the food when you're physically empty. ;) This could go on for days, if you don't mind soiling yourself.

[Kefkataran]

How often did the class meet? If it met twice a week, then you missed 50% of classes, statistically, which makes me inclined to think the opposite of what you said about stats in this situation

Three times a week. But honestly, I wouldn't accept anything I say about stats at face value. :p I'm not much of a math person.

[Jack B]

I don't see this is as being some startling revelation. As a kid who grew up in the Nintendo era, video games, like any idle indoor activity were usually something you did after you wore your ass out all day doing something outside.

As for the massive eatbeasts that pass for children these days, I'd chalk that up to government subsidies for corn ensuring that worst possible food (nutrionally) is also the cheapest and most readily available, combined with a public that doesn't care to educate itself on what it's eating.

:D Good one!

I was lucky I suppose in that video games didn't really become an option for me 'til I was in college or a bit later.

I went from the school yard to the baseball field (sandlot typically), football (same, someones big yard), or basketball court (probably someone's garage) until I couldn't see anymore. Then I'd usually play by the street lights.

I missed so many dinners... When I did make it home for dinner, I was wolfing down my food to get back outside! We only had about 5 channels on TV back then, no cable, no VCR's. Nothing.

Oh, and I walked uphill to school both ways in the snow too. (Just kidding about the uphill part, the rest is gospel). :)

[Johan]

Three times a week. But honestly, I wouldn't accept anything I say about stats at face value. :p I'm not much of a math person.

Same here...cut from the same cloth academically (English all the way!).

Speaking of English, I don't understand the problem with the English; play more videogames, kids! ;)

[Kefkataran]

Always good to see more English-studies-centered folk on EvAv.