Aside from the importance of inspiring the next generation of environmentalists, our children have a more immediate need for more outdoor and nature play. Childhood outdoor time has significantly decreased over the last 50 years, being replaced by huge amounts of time spent indoors using electronic entertainment media, averaging 7.5 hours daily for children aged 8-18. Electronic screen time for two or more hours a day is associated with higher anxiety and depression rates; time spent in green spaces, on the other hand, reduces anxiety and depression symptoms.
We can improve our children's health and happiness now, and grow new environmental stewards for tomorrow, by getting our children out in nature today. By protecting our parks and wild areas, developing green schoolyards and neighborhoods, encouraging parents to set limits on screen time, and promoting more time in outdoor and nature play, we can continue to work on making San Diego the best place in the country to reunite children with nature!
To read more of Cynthia Lane's article, please click here.
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