Original research
Young and free? A study of independent mobility among urban and rural dwelling Australian children

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Abstract

Objectives

To examine urban/rural differences in children's independent mobility; associations between mobility licences and children's independent mobility; and potential correlates of mobility licences.

Design

Cross-sectional study of 430 primary (48% boys; 72% urban) and 258 secondary schoolchildren (52% boys; 51.6% urban) and their parents.

Methods

Parents survey reported the mobility licences they granted to their children (e.g. allowing them to cross main roads on their own), access to outdoor playspaces and mobile phone ownership. Children survey reported their independent mobility on school journeys and on weekends. Differences were examined in mobility licences and independent mobility by sex, urban/rural setting and age-group. Regression analyses examined associations between mobility licences and independent mobility; and how access to playspaces, and mobile phone ownership, were associated with mobility licences.

Results

Overall, on average, boys were granted more mobility licences, than were girls, but there were no significant differences by urban/rural location. Variations in independent mobility by urban/rural locality were identified on the school journey but not on weekends. Boys attending urban primary schools had highest rates (44%) of walking/cycling independently to school; those attending rural secondary schools had the lowest (14%). Among urban boys and rural primary school-aged girls access to outdoor playspaces was associated with mobility licences. Mobile phone ownership was associated with mobility licences only among boys attending urban primary schools.

Conclusions

Many Australian children in urban and rural areas lack independent mobility. Further research should examine social/physical environmental influences on parental restrictions, to inform interventions that aim to promote children's independent mobility.

Introduction

Children's independent mobility, which refers to their freedom to move around without adult accompaniment,1 is vital for their physical, social, cognitive and emotional development.2 Compared with children with restricted spatial boundaries, independently mobile children are more physically active.3, 4 This is important considering how beneficial regular physical activity is for mental and physical health.5 In addition, independent mobility promotes children's bonding with peers6 and their cognitive development, as they learn how to navigate within their neighbourhood,7 and to interact with the built7 and natural environments.8 Independent mobility during childhood is also associated with a stronger sense of community, less fear of crime, and reduced feelings of loneliness during adolescence.9

While there is evidence that participation in active transport among Australian children has declined over recent decades,10 little is known about levels of independent mobility. Furthermore, most Australian data on children's active transport was gathered in urban rather than rural areas.10, 11, 12 Data from Australian schoolchildren and their parents in both urban and rural areas are needed to inform policy and programs to promote children's active transport, independent mobility and physical activity, particularly since facilitators of and barriers to these behaviours may vary by urban/rural location. Our study will build on international research1 that examined the ‘mobility licences’ parents granted to their children (e.g. allowing them to cross main roads on their own), and children's actual independent mobility (e.g. whether accompanied by an adult on their journey home from school), but did not cross-match parents’ and children's data. We shall address this gap by examining associations between mobility licences and children's actual independent mobility, and examine potential correlates of mobility licences: (1) access to outdoor playspaces (other than backyards); and (2) children's mobile phone ownership. The first is of interest because although much unstructured play nowadays is confined to the backyard (or indoor areas), some ‘outdoor’ children still play in residential streets, parks and open areas.13, 14 We shall examine whether access to local outdoor playspaces is related to children's mobility licences. The second is of interest because, nowadays, mobile phones provide parents with opportunities for remote surveillance of their children.15 For example, children may be allowed to travel independently to local destinations on condition that they call their parent to report their safe arrival.15

Specifically this study aims to examine urban/rural differences in children's independent mobility; associations between mobility licences and children's independent mobility; and potential correlates of mobility licences.

Section snippets

Methods

Data were drawn from the Australian arm of an international comparison study on children's independent mobility, led by researchers at Policy Studies Institute (PSI), London. Government secondary schools in Victoria, Australia were randomly sampled and assigned to six distinct settlement types chosen by PSI researchers: ‘Inner City’ – within 5 km of Melbourne's Central Business District; ‘Urban’ – non-inner-city area of Melbourne, population density > 2000 people/km2; ‘Suburban’ – outer area of

Results

The sample comprised 430 primary schoolchildren (48% boys; 72% urban) and 258 secondary schoolchildren (52% boys; 51.6% urban) with mean ages 10.4 (SD 1.2) and 13.7 (SD 1.0) years, respectively. Parent questionnaires were completed mainly by mothers/female carers (88%). Most parents had a partner (87%), around half (53%) were aged under 45 years and most were employed full-time (28%) or part-time (53%). Overall, rural children travelled further to school (primary – median 2.65 km (range

Discussion

This study is among the first to examine independent mobility on the school journey and on weekends among Australian schoolchildren in urban and rural areas. A major strength is the inclusion of data from boys and girls in two distinct age-groups, and their parents. However, the recruitment of children in Victoria only may limit the generalizability of findings to other Australian States and internationally. Overall, on average, boys were granted greater freedom in terms of mobility licences

Conclusions

We identified that many Australian children in urban and rural areas lack independent mobility on the school journey and on weekends. This may have serious public health implications in relation to their physical and mental health, as opportunities for physical activity (by walking or cycling)3, 4 and for the development of psychosocial skills6, 9 are being missed. Further research is required to examine social factors (e.g. safety concerns) that may cause parents to restrict their children's

Practical implications

  • Around half of all primary schoolchildren lack independently mobility on weekends.

  • Few primary schoolchildren and even fewer secondary schoolchildren walk/cycle independently to school.

  • Programs to promote children's walking and cycling for transport should not focus solely on the school journey, as distance is a key barrier particularly in rural areas. Instead children should be encouraged to walk or cycle around their neighbourhoods, without adult accompaniment (where appropriate).

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), Australia. We gratefully acknowledge all the school and families who participated in our study. Alison Carver is supported by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Anna Timperio and David Crawford are each supported by VicHealth Public Health Research Fellowships.

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