Prison Inmates Spend More Time Outside Than Your Kid Does, A Worldwide Survey Says

It’s not often you likely welcome the comparison of your kid to a prison inmate, aside from their innate ability to start riots. But a recent survey of 12,000 parents in 10 countries with children ages 5 to 12 years old uncovered a bombshell that may be difficult to wrap your brain around. While maximum security prisoners are guaranteed 2 hours of outdoor activity daily, half of kids worldwide only get an hour, and as many as one-third get less that 30 minutes. To put it lightly, that’s what their problem is.

The survey was originally conducted by brands OMO and Persil, which then launched the new campaign “Dirt Is Good” in response to the startling findings. The Britain based effort is lead by experts including Dr. Stuart Brown, the head of the National Institute of Play (a real place in California). As part of their efforts to raise awareness worldwide, they released a video of inmates attempting to comprehend this upsetting stat. They’re as shocked as you might be.

So what is the solution? Send your kid to jail, of course! As tempting as the may be on some days, there’s a better way. First you can raise awareness on social media by using the hashtag #DirtIsGood and advocate for your local school district to participate in Empty Classroom Day — one day where schools promise to hold at least one lesson outside. Finally, you can make up for where recess is falling short by getting your kid outside as much as possible. If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before they start making some concoction in the toilet.

[H/T] Tree Hugger