Hot Topics

Cotton wool kids need to take more risks and start playing, warns watchdog

With schools banning everything from conkers to handstands, a health and safety watchdog has today warned that cotton wool culture is damaging to our children and their ability to play.

A joint statement by the Health and Safety Executive and the Play Safety Forum said that too often rules are enforced as an excuse to stop kids taking part in perfectly safe outdoor activities such as climbing or running.

Instead of banning activities completely, watchdogs suggest that children need to be able to be able to face challenges in order to learn about risks.

It is therefore up to play providers to be sensible and accept that whilst kids shouldn’t be subjected to danger, they will always face some risks when playing outdoors.

Whilst it’s now common-place for children to be denied climbing trees or playing conkers without adult supervision, some schools are taking safety to the extreme as parents this week complain that a school in Sydney has banned handstands, running and even high fives during play time.

Do you agree that too many rules and regulations stop children from having fun? Or is it important to try and eliminate as much risk as possible?

What’s the daftest health and safety rule you’ve ever been faced with?