Is childhood going, going, gone?

My son Dominic climbing a tree

Growing up, I remember the summer holidays being filled with six or seven weeks of going out to the park, games of tag, hide and seek, red rover and the occasional game of football. 

Sometimes, we could find a nice big tree and climb it all the way to the top!

I remember my friends and I would go off on long bike rides, and no matter where we went, our parents were never worried about where we were...

I'm sure I'm not the only person who nostalgically remembers a time when entertainment was what you made it, and your best friends were the other kids in the neighborhood. 

Nowadays, things are very different...

The summer holidays usually mean six or seven weeks of bored children hanging about the house, pestering their parents for the latest advertised games and toys to keep them entertained.

Dominic on the computer

Entertainment is now what advertising companies tell you it is, and the only time children go out is to sit at their friends houses on their computers.

Even when children decide they do want to leave the house, parents are so worried every time their child sets foot outside the front door, they are reluctant to let their children venture very far.

Children nowadays are being forced to rely on computer games, mobile phones and technology to keep themselves entertained, and this means they have lost the ability "to play".

With a need for constant barrage of stimulation to keep themselves occupied, sadly it seems skills such as "using your imagination", "going off exploring" and "having fun" are all lost on modern children.

However, I don't believe that he children themselves are to blame for this apathy towards their childhood. 

If you ask me who is to blame, I believe there are several groups who have all played their fair part:

• The media: Every day, there seem to be more and more dangers for your children to face. From Pedophiles and murderers to health threats caused by going outside. If you believe everything in the media, you would be convinced that by stepping outside your front door, your children will die!
• Parents: Seemingly forgetting what their own child hood was like, they rely on the information supplied by the media to govern how free their children are with regards to experiencing the world. Parents also allow advertising companies to dictate which products you can use to babysit your children.
• Games designers: They are bringing out more and more pre-defined stimulation to feed the children. Most of these games are often sold to children who are younger than the age range the game is designed for.
• Advertising companies: Responsible for informing children they are not having fun without "product X". They are trying to make as much money as possible, and don't actually care if these products are the best product for your children.
• The Internet: Some parents use the Internet as a babysitter. By allowing children access to the knowledge and information they want, children can discover life through a computer screen. The internet is unmonitored and can also be the window of opportunity to information you don't want your children accessing.

Too many groups and organisations have their own agenda when it comes to children. Unfortunately, not everyone has the best welfare of the child at heart.

The media encourage you to keep your children "safe", by keeping them within your supervision, under lock and key... Some of their warnings are fair, however a lot of the reports broadcast simply encourage enough fear in parents to restrict the freedom of the child.

Companies then produce products aimed at children, that appeal to children, but are not always the best solution for children. Their marketing encourages you to believe by purchasing these products, you can keep your children entertained whilst restricting their freedom.

Dominic masters climbing high

In the era I was a child, life was simpler. It was safer and easier to keep children entertained without gadgets and technology. 

It saddens me that this golden age seems to have been lost to modern society.

Sadly, I don't see any change to this loss of childhood freedom, innocence and enjoyment unless parents and guardians make a stand.

I am a parent myself, and although I am aware of the dangers out there, I don't honestly believe they are as big a threat to my children as the media makes out.

I doubt there is a pedophile itching to abduct my children around every corner. 

I am certainly NOT buying my children all the latest toys and games (even if I COULD afford them!) simply because they are advertised.

I do allow my kids to go and play with their friends (although I am wary about where they go - my son is only five, so going to the park by himself is still a no-no...).

In my opinion, the best thing parents and guardians can do to keep their children's childhood alive is to switch off the computers, confiscate the mobile gadgets, mobile phones and mp3 players every now and again and spend some time playing with their children.

My daughter Makayla explores a tunnel

Make a visit to the local park, let them run about and climb and explore. 

Get out your bikes and go for a bike ride - even in the middle of a city you can find local cycle paths and recreation areas locally to cycle on.

Play sports with children - not only is it fun for the children but it is healthy too!

If you have a dog, encourage children to become involved in taking it for a walk with you. Not only will it help build up a relationship between the children and the dog, it will be healthy and fun!

Young or old, I believe that by spending time with your children, they will retain the ability to find fun and entertainment by themselves.

They will also appreciate the freedom they have to explore their own boundaries and will grow up happier than their console-fed friends.

- TheLittlerich