Children kept indoors as parents fear being sued

CHILDREN are being kept indoors and deprived of outdoor activities because parents and school heads are scared of being sued, a conference heard yesterday.

The conference was told while outdoor adventure was a critical part to a child's growth pattern, the fear of risk-taking - instilled by over-protective parents as well as educational bodies and local authorities - had ensured children were not having the same experiences as youngsters 20 years ago.

Up to 80% of eight to 18-year-olds suffer bad posture and about 30 hours a week are spent in front of computer and TV screens, experts told the conference at the Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre, near Killorglin, Co Kerry.