Contrary to the biophilia hypothesis, lack of exposure to nature can have devastating effects on one’s development. In his famous book ‘Last Child in the Woods’, Richard Louv coined the term ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ (NDD) to highlight the plight of children who are interacting more with electronic gadgets than with elements in nature. While NDD is not an official medical diagnosis, the term aptly describes the consequences of humans’ alienation from nature.

With the advent of technology and digitization, children today are spending an unadulterated amount of time indoors (and often glued to their screens) than outdoors. Young Americans of ages between 8 and 18 are spending an average of 6.5 hours a day with electronic media. The situation is not any different on our little red dot which has been helmed as a ‘Smart Nation’ in the recent years. In a pilot study conducted by NTU and think-tank DQ Institute in 2017, 12-year-olds here spend a whooping 46 hours a week on their gadgets, amounting to approximately 6.5 hours a day too!

The proliferation of technology and digitization has sadly made children’s experiences with nature limited to one that is indirect. They often learn about the world around them indirectly through nature documentaries on the TV or iPad and have few direct experiences with nature – be it in a park, along a beach or in a nature reserve. Unsurprisingly, a growing body of evidence is suggesting how disconnectedness from the natural environment makes for the perfect recipe for disaster in terms of a child’s development. Research has shown that children who are ever so often glued to their screens suffer from shorter attention spans and impairment in their cognitive abilities. Other consequences include, but are not limited to, addiction to electronic devices and an increase in mood disorders.

That said however, it is critical to acknowledge how the amount of green spaces in cities today is gradually diminishing as they make way for the development of concrete jungles. Hence, there exists restraints in one’s exposure to nature. Luckily, that is not the case in Singapore. With the goal to become a ‘City in a Garden’, Singapore has taken great strides in maintaining and even creating green spaces for its citizens to enjoy. Head on over to the next page to find out more about the green spaces our small island has to offer!

 

(Up next: City in a Garden)