Children “more likely to own a phone than be able to throw a ball”

Young children are more likely to own a smartphone than be able to throw a ball, according to a new report.

New research from a think tank, the Centre for Social Justice, reveals that while a range of studies show fewer than half of English 10-year-olds meet a basic level of competence in throwing a ball, over 70 per cent now own a smartphone.

The report, Inactive Nation, warns that England is raising a generation of children where only a small minority of children are mastering the basic movement skills they need to participate confidently in sport and physical activity. Around half of the pupils in every single primary school classroom today fail to meet basic activity levels for a healthy life, the analysis revealed.

The displacement of outdoor play with screen-based activity is leading to the rise of a generation of so-called “iPad kids”, who are missing out on vital physical development and contributing to ballooning obesityrates. By Year 6, pupils are spending 3 hours a day online – the equivalent of over a month each year – according to CSJ analysis of Ofcom data.

The report highlights the “resounding” evidence of the benefits of an active childhood. A range of studies show that physical activity builds resilience, supports good behaviour and physical development. Yet over half of primary school age pupils, or 2.1 million children, are insufficiently active – averaging less than 60 minutes of at least moderate physical activity a day. For disadvantaged children, this rises to 6 in 10.

Swapping 15 minutes of daily screen time for outdoors play would see 300,000 primary school pupils hit the recommended activity level. The CSJ says the consequences of sedentary lifestyle are already visible, as childhood obesity is rising. Deprived communities are worst hit, with children in them being more than twice as likely to be obese as those in more affluent areas.