World's first creche for technology and car keys to get families connecting
Published Tuesday 22 July 2014
The world’s first Tech Crèche has been launched to offer visitors a proper family day out, leaving their car and technology behind.
A domestic battle is raging in millions of UK households, with seven in 10 children believing their parents are constantly glued to their mobile devices, whilst six in 10 parents believe their kids are doing the same thing, according to new research released today. Unsurprisingly, a quarter of kids feel their parents have double standards about the issue.
The research also revealed 20% of kids believe their parents put work before their family, whilst 40% admit they sometimes communicate with their parents by text, email, and social media at home, when they’re in another room.
It’s therefore no wonder that more than 40% of parents agree that they and their children suffer from digital hangovers, with symptoms ranging from tiredness and fatigue to irritability after using mobile devices at night.
And it’s not just in the home where families are hooked on their gadgets, with a quarter of parents surveyed admitting that on a family day out or holiday they and their child will have their mobile devices with them at all times.
The research was conducted by the New Forest National Park Authority, which has launched a novel solution to get families talking.
The world’s first Tech Crèche was launched today, allowing users to leave their car keys and digital valuables in a secured vault, which they can collect whenever they wish. What’s more, kids wanting to let their parents know they want more family time, or vice versa, can do so by downloading a freeTech Crèche promise voucher from the New Forest NPA website, which simply asks for more quality family time.
Mark Holroyd, Transport and Tourism Manager at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: 'Technology is a wonderful thing, but, it has also impacted on the way that families behave with each other. Whether its droning sat navs, bleeping emails or Twitter alerts, families are constantly distracted from spending quality time together.
‘As such, we’re delighted to be launching this campaign to get families talking again, with a new video voiced by the comedian and impressionist Phil Cornwell, and of course the Tech Crèche itself.'
Mark continued: 'The Tech Crèche is the first of its kind, a safe place for your car keys and devices for a real break from modern day pressures. And where better than the natural beauty of the New Forest National Park to swap screen time for wild time surrounded by ancient woodlands and free roaming ponies.
'Also, with the ease of public transport into the New Forest, we’d recommend taking the train or bus here, as it starts off the day in a fun and relaxing way, and we have excellent ways of getting around the forest without needing a car, whether it’s a family bike ride, hopping on the Beach Bus or the best views from the open-top New Forest Tour.’
So, is it time your family got out of the car and went on a digital detox?
To find out more about the how you can find the perfect day out, without a car or technological distractions, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/travel.
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Notes to editors
For more info on the New Forest National Park Authority’s Tech Crèche, please contact Paloma Minter on +44 7955 944111 or paloma.minter@polygonpr.com
The Tech Crèche
The New Forest Tech Crèche is the first of its kind in the world, and allows users to leave their car keys and digital devices locked away securely for the day and picked up later . The Tech Crèche is available at Brockenhurst Station, through the friendly New Forest Travel Concierge, who can help you get the most out of your family day out by showing you all non-car travel options, and entertainments for your day. The Tech Crèche will be open from 9am to 10pm until September 14, 2014.
Case study family
A family of five from Banbury, Oxfordshire, gave up their car, phones and devices for a weekend camping break in the New Forest National Park. The family arrived by train at Brockenhurst and stayed at Camping in the Forest's Hollands Wood campsite. They enjoyed a trip on the open-topNew Forest Tour, hired bikes from Cyclexperience and enjoyed a meal at Careys Manor. Photos and interview opportunities with the family are available by contacting Paloma Minter on +44 7955 944111 or paloma.minter@polygonpr.com
Research
The research for New Forest was carried out between: 13 / 06 / 2014 and 18 / 06 / 2014
Sample: 502 kids aged 18 and under
And between: 13 / 06 / 2014 and 20 / 06 / 2014
Sample: 1018 parents with kids aged 18 and under
All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).
- 21% of children feel their parents don’t listen to them properly because they’re constantly picking up emails, calls or texts on their mobiles
- 60% parents believe their child spends too much time on their mobile device at home
- 69% of children say their parents spend too much time on their mobile device at home
- 27% of children say their parents have double standards about technology
- 39% say they sometimes communicate with their parents by text, email and social media whilst being at home at the same time
About the New Forest National Park Authority
Protect - Enjoy - Prosper
The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect.
• Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.
We also have a duty to:
• Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.
The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.
Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.
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