Why Dogs Are Good for Children’s Health and Wellbeing (Even If You Don’t Own One)
Wondering how to get your kids to stop scrolling and start strolling? We all want to get off our phones and reduce our screen time. Excessive screen time disrupts sleep, reduces attention span can worsen low mood and makes us more sedentary. But even for adults it’s hard to put our phones down. Apps are addictive, the news cycle is rapid, and social media is constantly updating, leading to fear of missing out.
This makes it twice as difficult for parents to get children away from screens.
What’s the solution to screens?
Psychology has found that addition, not subtraction, is the key to building new, healthy habits. Some people have found it helpful to pack activity bags for commutes or keep hobby packs near the TV to avoid scrolling. Introducing new activities, like reading physical books or taking a fitness class (where phones are not allowed) can also help.
Modelling good behaviour is a must. If you need help with this, there are apps that can block sites on your phone. And more extreme solutions like phone jails, where you place your device in a timed lock box you can’t get around.
Offering a fun alternative can help as well - for example, spending time with a pup!
What are the health benefits of spending time with a dog?
Spending time with a dog can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase physical activity. From a mental health perspective, dogs reduce loneliness, provide affection and help you relax. When you’re with a dog, you have to be completely in the moment, which naturally distracts your child from doomscrolling and social media.
While there’s plenty of evidence that dog ownership can improve children’s health, not every family has the time or resources to adopt a furry friend.
Luckily, you can get the same benefits and positive impact from borrowing a pup to hang out with. Access to a dog is shown to improve mood, and dog walkers typically walk an extra 23 minutes a day, which improves physical health outcomes.
So, if your family isn’t quite ready for a full-time furry commitment, don’t worry – there’s still a wagtastic way to bring all these benefits into your child’s life. By spending time with a borrowed dog, you can enjoy more fresh air, more movement, and more meaningful moments together, all while helping a pup get the love and attention they deserve. It’s a pawfect reminder that sometimes the simplest joys – a walk, a wag, a shared adventure – can leave the biggest Pawprints of Happiness.