Majority of kids say screen time is their favourite activity, says report

A survey has found that the majority of children class ‘screen time’ as their preferred activity.

A staggering 84 percent of children between the ages of six and 12 say playing on computers, tablets and games consoles is their preferred way to pass the time. With a very close 73 percent of children saying watching TV is their favourite activity. The survey of 724 children found that time on computers, tablets, games consoles and phones was more popular among children than other activities such as drawing, colouring and crafts which was the third most popular. The poll was conducted by BBC Children in Need to draw attention to the importance of physical activity. While 55 percent of children said they preferred playing outside, 62 percent said that they wouldn’t if the weather wasn’t nice. One of the celebrity faces supporting the campaign is Peter Andre who says he encourages his children to get outside and play.

“Some of my happiest memories of being a child, and in bringing up my own children, are of playing and it’s such a shame that not all young people get those opportunities.”