Montell Douglas, an athlete renowned for her participation in both the summer and winter Olympics as a representative of Team GB, has raised concerns about the impact of modern distractions on children's participation in sports. Speaking to Members of Parliament (MPs), Douglas highlighted that the "distractions of a digital age" are hindering opportunities for young people to engage in physical activities. Her comments come during an inquiry focusing on the declining levels of physical exercise among children, which she believes may be adversely affecting their physical fitness, mental health, and academic progress.
Douglas addressed the committee with a backdrop of alarming statistics from research conducted by the Youth Sport Trust, which indicates that fewer than half of UK children manage to complete the recommended 60 minutes of exercise each day. Furthermore, it was reported that there have been 41,000 fewer hours of physical education (PE) taught in schools during the 2023-24 academic year in comparison to the 2011-12 period.
Recalling her own experiences as a child, Douglas contrasted her past with the current landscape. "Thirty years ago, for me, the choices were vast because there weren’t the distractions of a digital age," she explained. She reminisced about a more active childhood, noting the physical nature of her playtime, where she often returned with bruises from climbing and engaging in various sports.
The athlete observed a stark difference in the current generation, who she believes face numerous challenges regarding choice, access to sports, and self-confidence. Many children now appear reluctant to engage in physical activities due to fears of failure, a sentiment Douglas found particularly concerning. "There was no judgement. I didn’t feel I was being pressured to succeed in something," she stated, reflecting on the cultural shifts that have influenced children’s attitudes towards sports.
Additionally, Douglas noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had further exacerbated the decrease in sports participation among young people. She mentioned that teachers had voiced their concerns to her regarding the slide away from physical activity during this period, reinforcing the idea that children are missing out on critical opportunities for exercise and development.
This testimony comes amidst growing recognition from various stakeholders about the need to improve children's engagement with sport and physical activity in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Source: Noah Wire Services