Youth Sport Trust warns that children are becoming ‘hostages’ to technology

The study entitled: “The Class of 2035: promoting a brighter and more active future for the youth of tomorrow” looks at 1,000 five-16 year olds in the UK and is released with the launch of National School Sport Week 2015, a celebration of PE and school sport with nearly 5,000 schools participating across the UK.

The survey discovered 75 per cent of young people enjoy PE lessons in school and 64 per cent stated they feel better about themselves after doing sport. However, 23 per cent felt that playing a video game was a form of exercise, only 14 per cent recognised that involvement in sport can have a positive impact on marks achieved in class and 35 per cent of pupils admitted to speaking to their friends via social media more than in person.

The report demonstrates how technology can used by schools in their approach to delivering PE lessons and to ensure young people monitor their activity levels and lead healthy lives.

Youth Sport Trust chief executive Ali Oliver warned that too many young people were at risk of living their lives ‘devoted to technology’ and were effectively ‘hostages to handheld devices’.

He said: “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. 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.”

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