Young people at risk of becoming 'hostages to handheld devices' warns Youth Sport Trust

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver has today warned that future generations of young people are at risk of living their lives devoted to technology, ‘hostages to handheld devices’, and disengaged from physical activity.

Her comments come as the Youth Sport Trust, an independent charity devoted to changing young people’s live through sport, releases a new report, The Class of 2035: promoting a brighter and more active future for the youth of tomorrow, which presents four possible scenarios – both positive and negative - for the future.

The report, conducted for the Youth Sport Trust by the Future Foundation to mark the charity’s 20th anniversary, and launched at the start of National School Sport Week, warns that PE and school sport are at a critical crossroads and the subject should remain a key priority to avoid a physically and socially disengaged future generation, over dependent on technology, which will result in low physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

The rise in technology was at the core of the findings, however, the report also highlights how the ‘digital revolution’ can be used to better PE and school sport, empowering young people to take responsibility for their own activity levels.

In its conclusions, the report calls for action to be taken today to promote the best possible future and an ideal ‘fit-for-purpose’ generation over the next 20 years. The four possible scenarios for the future can be viewed at www.classof2035.com.

The Class of 2035 report also found that body image is a principle concern for today’s young people, particularly girls, with 45% feeling under pressure to look good.

Other key findings include:

• 75% of young people say they enjoy PE lessons in school
• 64% say that they feel better about themselves after doing sport
• Nearly a quarter of today’s young people (23%) think playing a computer game with friends is a form of exercise
• 35% of young people say they speak to friends more on social media than in person
• Young people who described themselves as ‘always happy’ are twice as likely to take part in two or more hours of physical activity per day, and three times as likely to be a member of a school sports club
• Over 40% of young people would like to do more exercise.

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said:

“If we are to avoid a future whereby young people are disengaged from physical activity, living increasingly sedentary lifestyles, we must recognise their needs today, working with Government and partners within the education, sport and health sectors to improve opportunities for young people through PE and school sport.

“This report clearly signals that action is needed now to modernise the approach to PE and school sport and in doing so, guarantee the best possible future for generations to come.

“The findings from the Class of 2035 report will be at the forefront of future planning for the Youth Sport Trust and the organisation is already considering how best to support schools to embrace technology further through its network of PE and school sport advocates, ambassadors, and professionals.”

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