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Children's and parents' views about using mobile phones to support outdoor play
1Harmony Tree International, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Background:
The mobile phone is significant in the lives of UK middle-school children aged 7-12 years. Drawing on a study about children and mobile phones, this article compares children's outdoor play behaviours with those from the past.
Aim:
To explore the views of children and parents about children's use of mobile phones and provide children with a voice in the research.
Method:
Qualitative focus groups and interviews were used to explore participants' views. A thematic analysis was applied to the data collected.
Findings:
In understanding children's play behaviours involving mobile phones, parents made comparisons with their own childhoods during the 1970s and 1980s. Parents were concerned about their children engaging in outdoor play but they thought the use of mobile phones could help keep children safe.
Conclusion:
Nurses could promote mobile-supported outdoor play through health promotion activities, helping children to develop some freedoms.