Luyện theo cấu trúc Cambridge IELTS 4 · Writing Task 2: Children and Outdoor Play

A generation ago, most children spent their free afternoons playing in the street, in parks or in nearby fields. Today, by contrast, many young people rarely play outside at all. This essay will examine the main reasons for this change and suggest some practical ways of reversing it.

The most obvious cause is the growing appeal of screens. Tablets, games consoles and video platforms are designed to hold children's attention for as long as possible, and outdoor games struggle to compete. A second, equally important factor is parental anxiety. Busier roads and widespread media coverage of crime have made many parents reluctant to let their children out of sight, even though statistically most neighbourhoods are no more dangerous than they were thirty years ago. Finally, in rapidly growing cities, open spaces have often been replaced by housing and car parks.

Tackling this problem requires action from both families and local authorities. City councils could protect existing green spaces and create small play areas within residential blocks, where parents can supervise children from their windows. Some cities have also experimented with closing certain streets to traffic for a few hours each week, which allows children to play safely near their homes. Schools could also extend break times and hold some lessons outdoors. Parents, meanwhile, could limit screen time and join their children outside, since young people are far more likely to adopt habits that they see their parents enjoying.

In conclusion, the decline in outdoor play is mainly the result of digital entertainment, parental fears and a shortage of suitable space. With better urban planning and a more active approach from schools and families, however, children could once again enjoy the physical and social benefits of playing outside.