Time out! How much time do kids spend outdoors? Natural Inquirer Monograph
| Authors: | Barbara McDonald, Jessica Nickelsen |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Type: | Natural Inquirer |
| Station: | Washington Office |
| Source: | USDA-Forest Service science education journal for Pre-K through Grade 12 |
Abstract
People have looked for reasons why kids might not be going outdoors as much as they once did. One possible reason is the increasing use of electronic media and technology, such as the Internet and video games. Some researchers point out, however, that kids may be using cell phones and other electronic media outdoors. These researchers wonder how much media use affects the amount of time kids spend outdoors. The effect that electronic media and technology have on kids’ time outdoors, therefore, is not known. You may recall that previous studies had not looked at kids across the entire Nation. These studies also did not focus on time spent outdoors but on nature-based activities done outdoors. The scientists in this study wanted to do research to fill in these gaps.