Cheri Cosgrove of Tanworld has conducted and released the results of a survey examining parents’ views of government interference in decisions about their children. The survey asked what parents thought of teen tanning, whether they would let their kids play in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and if they approved of government involvement in decisions about their children.

In regards to teen tanning, a majority of parents (60%) would allow their 14-16 year olds to tan indoors with parental consent. Of those surveyed, almost all (89%) said that they would let their kids outside to play between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. despite government and dermatologists’ advice to stay out of the sun during these times. “Our country already has a problem with childhood obesity and certainly parents don’t want children to live a reclusive life indoors. They want them to continue to play sports and other outside activities.” Cosgrove stated.

The survey found that 64% of parents polled had children that had sunburned outside. “It’s important to stress the similarities and distinctions between natural sunlight and indoor tanning… Both offer the benefits of UV exposure, but indoor tanning offers a controlled environment to obtain a cosmetic tan. Indoor tanning is controlled by skin type and a timer which minimize the risk of overexposure and sunburn,” said Cosgrove.

Along with those findings, the survey also found that 87% of parents did not want the government to tell them what they can and can’t do regarding their children.