Tanya Rabin, Director of Communications & Advocacy at London Sport
A proposed social media ban for under-16s raises an important question that is currently missing from the public debate: if young people spend less time online, what will they do instead?
While concerns about online harms, addiction, misinformation and mental wellbeing are valid, restricting social media alone will not automatically lead to better outcomes for young people. The benefits of any ban will depend on whether children and teenagers have access to meaningful, safe and affordable alternatives offline.
Sport and physical activity have a vital role to play in filling that gap. Regular participation helps young people build confidence, develop social connections, improve physical and mental health, perform better academically and gain the skills that prepare them for future employment. If policymakers want to reduce time spent online, they must also consider how to increase opportunities for young people to spend time being active, connected and engaged in their communities.
This is particularly important in London, where opportunities are not evenly distributed. Young people in more affluent areas may have access to parks, sports clubs, youth groups and safe public spaces, while those living in deprived communities can face barriers including a lack of local provision, concerns about safety, limited green space and reduced youth services.
Recent research from London Sport has highlighted how demographic change is reshaping the capital and increasing pressure on London’s existing sport and physical activity infrastructure. As London’s population grows and diversifies, access to affordable, inclusive and appropriate facilities is becoming an increasing challenge. Without targeted investment, many communities risk being left without the spaces and opportunities needed to support active lives.
For London Sport, the opportunity is to shift the conversation from simply reducing screen time to investing in the real-world infrastructure of childhood. If policymakers are serious about helping young people spend less time online, they must also be serious about creating more opportunities for them to be active, social and connected in their communities.
This means investing in the facilities, services and spaces that enable young people to be active close to home. London Sport’s manifesto has called for greater investment in community sport and physical activity, alongside action to create healthier neighbourhoods, improve access to facilities and ensure every Londoner can benefit from the positive impact of being active.
This would also build on London Sport’s multi-award winning More Ball Games campaign, which seeks to create more opportunities for children and young people to be active in their neighbourhoods. By challenging unnecessary restrictions on informal play and championing accessible spaces where young people can gather, move and socialise, the campaign demonstrates how relatively simple changes can help create attractive alternatives to spending time online.
The policy ask is clear: any restrictions on social media use for under-16s should be accompanied by investment in youth services, community sport, safe public spaces, active neighbourhoods and local facilities that provide positive alternatives for young people. A social media ban should not be viewed solely as a digital policy, but as part of a wider strategy to improve the health, wellbeing, social connections and life chances of young people.
The key question is not whether social media should be restricted, but whether we are providing young people with somewhere better to be.
ENDS
Notes to editors
London Sport is exploring how access to sport, play, community facilities and safe public spaces varies across London, and the implications this has for young people’s opportunities to be active, social and connected offline.
London Sport’s recent Planning for London’s Active Future research highlights how population growth and changing demographics are increasing demand for sport and physical activity facilities across the capital, creating challenges around access, capacity and provision.
Through its manifesto, London Sport has called for greater investment in community sport and physical activity, improved access to local facilities, healthier neighbourhoods and action to tackle inequalities in participation across London.
London Sport’s More Ball Games campaign advocates for more opportunities for children and young people to play and be active in their local communities by promoting access to safe, welcoming and accessible public spaces.
London Sport works with local authorities, community organisations, health partners and policymakers to help all Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through sport and physical activity.
Tackling inactivity and reducing inequalities in access to physical activity opportunities are central to London Sport’s mission, with a particular focus on supporting children and young people, underserved communities and inactive Londoners.
