Restrictions on independence jeopardise children's health

The study by the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) at the University of Westminster revealed that only 25 per cent of primary school children in England are now allowed to walk home from school alone, compared with 86 per cent in 1971.

Researchers argue that decreasing independence means that children burn fewer calories day-to-day and miss out on social interaction, leading to increased fear of crime and feelings of loneliness in adolescence.

The study compares children across the UK with their counterparts in Germany. It found that German children are offered “all the licences of independent mobility in greater proportions and at earlier ages”.

Ben Watson, research fellow at the PSI, said independent mobility is vital for children’s wellbeing and development.

“If we care about the future health of our children, action should be taken to enable them to regain the right to a safe outdoor environment without the need for adult supervision,” he said.

“The experience from Germany shows that this drop is not an inevitable result of modern life.”

Malcolm Shephard, chief executive of Sustrans, which recently launched a campaign to encourage children to be able to grow up “free range”, described the fact that so many children are failing to meet recommended physical activity levels as “a tragedy”. ?

“We urgently need to make our communities safer if we’re to get kids active by walking and cycling to school and playing outdoors,” he said. “Parents want to see safer streets – the government must change the standard speed limit to 20mph on the streets where we live, work and play.”

Cath Prisk, director of Play England, argued that parents must also do more to encourage their children to be independent. ?

“This study confirms our own research that there are more barriers to playing out and travelling independently for children today than for previous generations,” she said.

“Parents who want to buck this worrying trend should think about giving their kids the gift of independence at home, on the doorstep, in their neighbourhood and further afield.

“If we want our children and young people to have independence, resilience and everyday adventures they need to start young – it is everyone’s responsibility to make this happen.”