Majority of parents believe they had a safer, easier and better childhood than their children

The Data in Detail

The majority of UK parents and carers of children aged 18 and under believe their own childhood was safer (63%), easier (54%) and full of better experiences (55%) than their own children’s.

We commissioned a YouGov survey² to analyse children’s playing habits, which also found that 59% of participants want their children to play more in person.

A third of parents (33%) believe the biggest barrier to their child playing more in person is concerns over their safety. Other barriers identified include:

• The accessibility of going online (26%)
• The cost-of-living crisis, such as preventing families from being able to afford clubs (25%)
• Online games being more engaging (23%)
• Lack of friends to play with (23%).

Overall, findings showed that 38% of parents believe their child plays online every day or multiple times a day. This increases once children reach their teens with 53% of parents of 12 to 16-year-olds saying their children within that age group play online at least once a day.  

In-person play also decreases as a child ages. While 40% of total participants agreed their children played in person once a day or more, this decreased to just 27% for those with 12 to 16-year-olds and 16% for those with 17 to 18-year-olds.

How to get involved

As we prepare for our fourth annual Childhood Day on Friday, 6 June, we’re calling for families to come together and celebrate the joys of childhood, while also encouraging people to play their part to help keep children safe.

People can donate to us this year in Lidl stores, either at cash donation tins or in small amounts via card payment at the till, thanks to digital micro-donation system Pennies.

They can also volunteer at a Childhood Day collection point or take on the Childhood Day Mile.

All the funds raised will go towards helping us deliver vital services, like Childline which supports children at risk.