Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates – survey

Time spent playing in parks, woods and fields has shrunk dramatically due to lack of green spaces, digital technology and parents' fears

Three-quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates, according to a new survey revealing the extent to which time playing in parks, wood and fields has shrunk. A fifth of the children did not play outside at all on an average day, the poll found.

Experts warn that active play is essential to the health and development of children, but that parents' fears, lack of green spaces and the lure of digital technology is leading youngsters to lead enclosed lives.