Current Issues

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted daily routines and activities across the globe. One of the most concerning effects has been on children’s play behavior, as lockdowns and social-distancing measures limited outdoor play and altered social interactions. Objective: This systematic review examines how the COVID-19 pandemic changed children’s play worldwide, focusing on shifts in outdoor play, screen time, and physical activity levels among school-aged children. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, JSTOR, and SCOPUS. Studies were included if they focused on play behaviors of school-aged children during COVID-19, were published from 2020 onward, and had a sample size ≥10. Retrospective studies, research on preschoolers or adolescents, and studies published before 2020 were excluded. Eighteen eligible studies met the inclusion criteria. Data regarding study design, setting, participants, and main outcomes were extracted and synthesized. Results: Across all identified studies, a marked decrease in outdoor play and organized sports activities were reported. Simultaneously, an increase in screen based activities, including virtual play, was noted. Several studies linked these changes in play patterns to negative consequences for children’s physical and mental health, including reduced physical activity levels, weight gain, and heightened emotional or behavioral problems. Conclusion: The reviewed evidence suggests that COVID-19 restrictions curtailed outdoor play opportunities for children, contributing to an upsurge in sedentary and screen-based behaviors. These findings underscore the importance of promoting safe out door activities and structured play opportunities to mitigate the pandemic’s long-term impact on children’s well-being.

Sajini James, Anoopa KR, Vidya V, Betcy K Jayims. Systematic review on impact of covid 19 on play behaviour of children [Internet]. Benziger International Journal of Nursing Education, Extension & Research. 2025 [cited 2025 Jan 25]. Available from: https://bijneer.bbcon.ac.in/current_issue/view/8