[News] Children in England growing up ‘sedentary, scrolling and alone’, say experts

[Albion my Albion]

Much like many of the children of the Western world.

My grandson in Colorado is growing up with his mother running a daycare. At first I thought he wouldn't get the attention he needs from his mother but now that he has started school I see he is able to interact with the other children and has learned to spend less time on his devices. Although he is spending a larger amount of time than any generation before in our family with his devices.

 

[Brovion]

Our boys were exposed to iPads from an early age, but relatively light use. No different from watching TV, playing videogames etc.

They weren't allowed a smartphone with their own accounts until they left primary school (or the birthday before). Partly so they could stay in touch with old friends when switching schools.

But that's when things can change. Own smartphone = own accounts = own world.

Yeah, I think secondary school might be the 'danger point', especially as you say when they get their own accounts. I guess we'll have to wait and see. At the very least I think we set him a good example as neither us or his parents are the type of adults who are constantly glued to our phones

 

[abc]

Children in England growing up ‘sedentary, scrolling and alone’, say experts

Raising the Nation Play Commission report recommends ban on ‘no ball games’ signs and raising digital age of consent to 16

www.theguardian.com

This young generation has no chance. Let's hope we can fix this before it becomes pan-generational.

All the fault of the Boomers of course!

 

[Berty23]

I fully expect bans to come in on tech for young kids. Surely it must damage brain development. Parents are to blame for much of this. I see parents of toddlers taking them for a walk wearing headphones and kids holding a device. wtf? How is the kid going to learn to communicate etc.

I heard someone the other day saying it is good to encourage your kids to watch movies rather than scroll because different concentration. Scrolling is 15 second or less dopamine hits.

Interesting times ahead.

My kids are teenagers and have devices but one lives on the golf course and one is a sport monster and she is either doing athletics, hockey or gym or loitering at the park. I have an autistic daughter and she is the hardest to mange online. Very very hard. They all agree it was easier to be a kid in the 80s and 90s. No FOMO if you are not always connected.

 

[Gwylan]

As it is, it is hard for parents to get their kids into clubs. I had to create a football team for my son then run it.

I don't get this. Why is it hard? There are dozens of clubs available to kids. Do you mean that it's hard for kids to play sports? That was the whole point of the research; if you get them playing, then they'll want to continue in a more formal environment ie within clubs

 

[1066familyman]

I am going to say this once.
Blame the parents.
Docile and screen-fixed kids means the parents can get on with their own business.
I'm sorry to say mea culpa in that regard.

I have to totally disagree with you there.

Having brought up 4 kids and given them the same opportunities, they have all turned out very different to each other.

As parents, like everyone else, we can lead horses to water but we cannot make them drink.

 

[Commander]

I don't get this. Why is it hard? There are dozens of clubs available to kids. Do you mean that it's hard for kids to play sports? That was the whole point of the research; if you get them playing, then they'll want to continue in a more formal environment ie within clubs

Yeah I’m confused by this as well. My kids are in football, cricket and tennis clubs. Yes the clubs are a pain to deal with sometimes but I don’t see how it is hard to get them into them? It’s a million times easier than it was when I was a kid, there are so many more options.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Yeah, as someone who commutes by train 3 days per week, I'm constantly dismayed by how many parents immediately give their toddler an ipad to watch Peppa Pig (or similar) - without headphones, meaning that the whole carriage has to listen - so the parents can spend the train journey on their phones. There is no communication or eye-contact with their toddler whatsoever.

Hence the kid is not developing any communication or social skills in their formative years.

Yes. This. Although I teach computing, I often cover all primary age groups. I see this lack of communication skills winding it's way from nursery through to year 6. Some children, who do not have genuine SEND needs, masquerade as such simply through lack of practice as no one meaningfully communicates. Their parents are unwittingly hamstringing them in their development and it has consequences for wider society as the children will likely not grow up to contribute as much as otherwise and neither will they feel any great sense of social cohesion.

 

[Peteinblack]

Yes. This. Although I teach computing, I often cover all primary age groups. I see this lack of communication skills winding it's way from nursery through to year 6. Some children, who do not have genuine SEND needs, masquerade as such simply through lack of practice as no one meaningfully communicates. Their parents are unwittingly hamstringing them in their development and it has consequences for wider society as the children will likely not grow up to contribute as much as otherwise and neither will they feel any great sense of social cohesion.

Gone the same way in universities, where we're not allowed to direct questions to individual students ("Peteinblack, how would you explain...?") in seminars in case they suffer from anxiety, chronic shyness, or have a panic attack. They also tend to avoid eye contact in the seminar room or Lecture theatre; they always stare down.

I always wonder how they are going to cope when they enter the modern corporate workplace,

I fear a whole generation has been lost to excessive use of screens and addiction to social media.

I'm not a Luddite, I think a lot of IT and online sources are brilliant, but so many young people seem to be totally reliant on their phones and screens - and their total dependency and inability to think for themselves is now being compounded by AI and ChatGPT.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I have to totally disagree with you there.

Having brought up 4 kids and given them the same opportunities, they have all turned out very different to each other.

As parents, like everyone else, we can lead horses to water but we cannot make them drink.

Oh, quite. I accept that, as long as we treat them well, what they are will govern how they turn out.

But on average any imperative to let the kids do what they want is more likely to have a bad outcome than not.

But, yes, as a parent I tend to blame myself for any problems my son may have.
Perhaps this part of the entry fee.

 

[Commander]

Gone the same way in universities, where we're not allowed to direct questions to individual students ("Peteinblack, how would you explain...?") in seminars in case they suffer from anxiety, chronic shyness, or have a panic attack. They also tend to avoid eye contact in the seminar room or Lecture theatre; they always stare down.

I always wonder how they are going to cope when they enter the modern corporate workplace,

I fear a whole generation has been lost to excessive use of screens and addiction to social media.

I'm not a Luddite, I think a lot of IT and online sources are brilliant, but so many young people seem to be totally reliant on their phones and screens - and their total dependency and inability to think for themselves is now being compounded by AI and ChatGPT.

We really are going backwards.

 

[METALMICKY]

Where much of the audience will be watching the gig through their bloody phones, and the rest of us will struggle to see the band through the forest of phones held aloft!

Your daughter sounds like she has a very mature attitude -and is a credit to her parents.

That gig situation is getting silly but what approach to take? On their current tour Ghost took the hardline approach and all mobiles have to be locked away in a Yondr pouch. Aside from a few venues not planning the logistic of that process, the feedback has been good with fans saying the gig atmosphere was improved.

By contrast my faves Iron Maiden at the start of the current tour politely asked fans to moderate the use of their phones. Sadly it was roundly ignored and videos of complete gigs were up on YouTube the next day.

'I Wish You Nothing but a Very Sore Arm!' – Iron Maiden Manager Scolds Fans for Using Cell Phones at 2025 Tour

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood thanked fans for a successful tour kickoff and scolded those who took cell phone videos in May 2025.

loudwire.com

 

[1066familyman]

The best thing parents can do is set an example

But screen addictions don't just affect the young. We're wasting our lives, (he says typing on a screen) as much as the youngsters.

The kids see it and do the same.

If you want your kids to do it less, the starting point is to put down your phone down. Get a board game out or something

We played board games galore together when the kids were younger. Unfortunately, Covid happened, they grew up and times changed.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

We played board games galore together when the kids were younger. Unfortunately, Covid happened, they grew up and times changed.

It doesn't have to be board games ... (though it needn't be snakes and ladders, there are loads of decent ones aimed at 12+), I just think that parents don't show the imagination or leadership to find other things to do which would set the example that there's more to life than youtube

 

[Peteinblack]

We played board games galore together when the kids were younger. Unfortunately, Covid happened, they grew up and times changed.

A 'boardgame café' recently opened at the end of our street - Cynical me thought 'Give you 4 months before you close: who's going to go out to play board games in 2025, when they can play online in their bedroom?'

Every Saturday and Sunday, it's absolutely full from 9.30 to 18.00, either with people in the 18-30 age-group, or parents taking their children to play boardgames for a couple of hours. Often, there's a queue for a table/game to become free.

Gives me a modicum of hope for the future.

 

[Mellotron]

Have a 7 year old lad and absolutely see the dangers of YouTube and gaming.

So glad he’s recently shown a real interest and aptitude for cricket - taking him out most days after work/school for a few “throw downs” at the local cricket club.

 

[1066familyman]

It doesn't have to be board games ... (though it needn't be snakes and ladders, there are loads of decent ones aimed at 12+), I just think that parents don't show the imagination or leadership to find other things to do which would set the example that there's more to life than youtube

I took all our kids out kayaking, cycling, walking, playing/working up the allotment, board games, card games galore. Loads of family days out to various places they wanted to go. All of them were members of one kind of club or another, too, from football, athletics, dance, ballet, gymnastics and various after school clubs. In fact, any club they wanted to join they were encouraged and fully supported to do so.

Now, only one still does any outdoor activity. The youngest two pretty much don't even want to know us. We aren't perfect parents, no one is, but we're at a loss as to why the youngest two have gone the way they have, and yet the eldest two are totally different (in terms of manners and respect). Maybe it is just a sign of the times?

One things for sure, we've done the guilt trip stuff of blaming ourselves, but are now beyond that.

 

[Bakero]

Yes. This. Although I teach computing, I often cover all primary age groups. I see this lack of communication skills winding it's way from nursery through to year 6. Some children, who do not have genuine SEND needs, masquerade as such simply through lack of practice as no one meaningfully communicates. Their parents are unwittingly hamstringing them in their development and it has consequences for wider society as the children will likely not grow up to contribute as much as otherwise and neither will they feel any great sense of social cohesion.

I'm currently reading Transcendence by Gaia Vince, which offers some insight into this. In the chapter about language she mentions a study in which young American children were taught Mandarin Chinese in 3 groups; one had a real teacher, one video, one audio. Only those with a human teacher learned anything, which demonstrates the need for reciprocity.

Kids don't learn to speak individually but need engagement. Hence those spending hours a day glued to a screen are going to lack conversation skills. Aside from the language they'll be missing the socialisation that comes from human interaction.

Another study mentioned found that the number of conversational turns (back and forths of interaction) a young child hears is a strong predictor of their language development. This starts before they can even speak, with the repetition of gestures and babble. The more limited these interactions are, the worse their communication skills in later life.


(Good book by the way if you're into grand narratives on human history a la Sapiens or Guns, Germs and Steel)

 

[1066familyman]

I fully expect bans to come in on tech for young kids. Surely it must damage brain development. Parents are to blame for much of this. I see parents of toddlers taking them for a walk wearing headphones and kids holding a device. wtf? How is the kid going to learn to communicate etc.

I heard someone the other day saying it is good to encourage your kids to watch movies rather than scroll because different concentration. Scrolling is 15 second or less dopamine hits.

Interesting times ahead.

My kids are teenagers and have devices but one lives on the golf course and one is a sport monster and she is either doing athletics, hockey or gym or loitering at the park. I have an autistic daughter and she is the hardest to mange online. Very very hard. They all agree it was easier to be a kid in the 80s and 90s. No FOMO if you are not always connected.

Yep, I've seen parents walking their kids to school without any interaction, and it's very very sad to see.

All of ours got to know numerous plants and wildlife along the way, even when walking in urban environments. It's surely just 'normal' to see the immediate environment you're living in and learn about it, but it would seem not for many people. We observed things around us all the time as kids, even when walking without parents.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Now, only one still does any outdoor activity. The youngest two pretty much don't even want to know us. We aren't perfect parents, no one is, but we're at a loss as to why the youngest two have gone the way they have, and yet the eldest two are totally different (in terms of manners and respect). Maybe it is just a sign of the times?

One things for sure, we've done the guilt trip stuff of blaming ourselves, but are now beyond that.

Maybe the times, or maybe just a time in their lives. Looking back, I went a bit withdrawn for 2 or 3 years.

Definitely don't blame yourself!