OUTDOORS: Nature-Deficit Disorder and the alarming effects on children

On average, children ages 8-12 spend 4-6 hours a day viewing a screen and teenagers can spend up to nine, while spending less than an hour outdoors. Regular screen time and deprivation from recreating outdoors leads to mood swings, lower grades, sleep deprivation, a poor self-image, screen dependency, irregular psychological shifts, depression and lower cognitive function.

Virtual realities can affect a child’s demeanor and outlook on life. It is recognized that one of the goals of social media apps is to maximize the time spent on that interface. Children are immensely vulnerable and are susceptible to making screen time a priority in their day. Conflicts over screen time are common between parents and their children. As a parent, you aren’t alone regarding this issue. Unfortunately, these conflicts can affect the level of parent engagement with their kids.

Children who engage in too much screen time become less in-tune with and more detached from their surroundings. Extreme situations can lead to Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, a serious medical illness. Children indulging in heavy social media may have reduced creativity, decision-making ability or ability to have authentic interactions.

There is power in conscious decision-making. Parents, relatives, friends and mentors can help kids make healthy decisions about how they can feed their bodies and brains. Alternatives to watching a video, TV show or playing a video game might include a walk to a park, a playdate in a neighbor’s backyard, building a fort, climbing up a tree or a spontaneous scavenger hunt. 

A solution is in the magic experiences outdoor spaces can bring. A study in the journal "Environment and Behavior" demonstrates that children who spend even short periods outdoors see a reversal in fatigue and concentration issues. Indulging in outdoor activities boosts children’s morale, energy levels, perception and drive. Recreating in the outdoors gives kids a chance to glance far beyond a screen and to become immersed in what it is like to live, love and belong in the natural world.

Here in Western Colorado, we have many organizations and passionate teachers who are more than ready to assist kids and their families with becoming familiar with the great outdoors. As a parent or guardian, are you looking for a few ideas to encourage your kids to take it outside?

Try these creative outdoor activities with your kids:

• Generation Wild suggests 20 ideas for 20 minutes — the magic number for helping kids feel better (generationwild.com/20ideaslist).
• 100 things to do before you are 12 (generationwild.com/the-list)
• Backyard hacks — the best things to happen in the backyard since the invention of the barbecue (generationwild.com/backyard-hacks).

These ideas are in Spanish and English.

Also, the Nature Connection is hosting a free pop-up ski lending day along with lessons on Feb. 11 at County Line Trailhead on Grand Mesa. Your kids will love the extra attention and encouragement of a shared experience with you along with the laughter and conversation. Your kids' mental and physical health and your family relationships are sure to benefit.

Friends of Youth and Nature is a non-profit that promotes opportunities for youth and families to get outside, experience outdoor activities and explore nature. FOYAN offers “tips and tricks” for connecting your children to nature for each season in monthly blogs. Learn more at friendsofyouthandnature.org.