Backyard Pools May Help Kids Cut Screen Time, Boost Wellness, Survey Shows
As screen time among U.S. children continues to climb, new survey findings suggest backyard pools may offer a practical solution for getting kids outdoors and more physically active.
Children aged 8 to 12 now spend an average of four to six hours a day on screens, with teens logging up to nine hours, according to recent studies. Excessive screen use has been associated with issues such as social withdrawal, sleep problems, academic challenges and higher rates of depression and anxiety. At the same time, outdoor free play has dropped significantly, with one study showing children spend just four to seven minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor activity.
A recent survey conducted by Latham Group Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of in-ground residential pools, sheds light on how backyard pools may help families reduce screen time and promote healthier habits. The company gathered feedback from a dozen parents who own swimming pools, focusing on how their children’s behavior changed after installation.
- Nearly half of survey participants said their children’s screen time dropped noticeably after installing a pool. About 65% reported it was easier to get their kids off screens without conflict, and more than 20% said they had fewer arguments about screen time.
- All survey respondents agreed that their children spent more time outside following the installation of their backyard pool, with more than half describing the increase as significant. Nearly 90% observed greater physical activity among their children, with more than 20% saying their kids were “a lot more active.”
- Roughly 80% of parents said their children became more social after the pool was added, interacting more frequently with friends and neighbors. About one-third said their children complained less about being bored.
- The majority of survey participants also cited improved family connection, with 68% saying they now spend more quality time together. All respondents identified “family fun and bonding” as the top reason they decided to install a pool. Other common motivations included entertaining guests (75%), encouraging outdoor play (55%) and promoting fitness (35%).
- All families surveyed reported using their pools frequently, with about 35% using them daily and the remainder multiple times per week during the swim season.
More information is available at lathampool.com.
