What do children (and grown-ups) have to say about play?

It’s time to talk more and play more

You might not be surprised to hear parents still worry their children spend too long on tech.

Our research hints that more conversation could ease those worries – especially as a third of parents admitted they don’t know what their children do online. Around half also admitted they don’t talk about digital safety regularly, even though almost everyone agreed it was important.

On the flipside, 15% of children think their parents spend too long online, too (time that they could spend playing with the family instead). In fact, most children wished they could play with their parents more. But life’s busy. Grown-ups have jobs and housework. Children have school and homework and chores.

So, where does play fit? Our study says it’s time to put down the tablets and tech. Have a chat. And make space for play. It’ll make the whole family happier.

*Study Methodology

A 20 minute online quantitative survey was conducted across 35 countries between January and March 2022, asked to a total of 57,374 respondents, including 32,781 parents with children aged 1-12 years old and 24,593 children aged 5-12. The first 15 minutes of the survey were answered by the parent, with the remaining 5 minutes answered by the child whose parents consented to their participation. Quotas included a spread of age, gender, regions, incomes and education levels amongst parents, and a spread of parents of children aged; 1-2 years old; 3-4 years old; 5-8 years old and 9-12 years old.