In recent weeks, Netflix’s drama “Adolescence” has sparked national conversation about the challenges facing young men today. The show’s portrayal of a 13-year-old boy’s descent into violence has resonated with parents worried about the online influences shaping their sons’ worldviews. This concern isn’t unfounded – from toxic influencers to the rise of the “manosphere,” young men are increasingly vulnerable to digital spaces that can foster isolation, anger, and harmful attitudes.
As an organisation dedicated to community wellbeing, we at ParkPlay have been reflecting on how our work intersects with these critical issues. What we’ve observed across our 85+ locations isn’t just about physical activity – it’s about creating alternative paths for connection, belonging, and positive identity formation for people of all ages, including young men who might otherwise be drawn to more harmful online spaces.
The Growing Screen Crisis
The challenges we’re addressing aren’t isolated. ParkPlay is proud to support the Smaarter initiative, which highlights that today’s youth face unprecedented digital pressures:
- With average screen time of 8-9 hours daily, an 18-year-old is on course to spend over 93% of their free time for the rest of their lives on screens
- Children now spend less time outdoors (under 1 hour per day) than inmates in high-security prisons (approximately 2 hours)
- Since 2010, anxiety rates have more than doubled from 10.4% to 24.3%
- Nearly half of UK adults report feeling lonely
These statistics paint a sobering picture, particularly for young men who are increasingly vulnerable to online radicalisation when disconnected from healthy, real-world communities.
This is why initiatives like ParkPlay and the broader “Less Scroll. More Soul” movement championed by Smaarter are so vital – they provide tangible alternatives to digital isolation.
Real-World Connections in a Digital Age
While online culture promises belonging, it often delivers isolation. At our ParkPlay sessions, we see something different happening. Young men who might spend hours alone in digital spaces are instead engaged in collaborative play, developing face-to-face social skills that counter online extremism’s appeal.
One PlayLeader shared a particularly moving story about a young girl:
“A girl I used to teach had severe anxiety and depression, missing 8-10 weeks of school because she couldn’t leave her front door. After attending ParkPlay for a few weeks, her mother told us that she’s now the first one up in the household, excited to participate. We’ve not only increased her physical activity, but we’ve broken down barriers to her depression and anxiety.”
And we are seeing similar transformations happen with boys who initially arrive withdrawn or hesitant. The simple act of consistent, supportive play creates a foundation of belonging that proves more satisfying than digital alternatives. Take a listen to what 13 year old Anthony Pirkel says… Northlands ParkPlay helped him transition from a “not involved or engaged” to bringing other young men into the ParkPlay ecosystem:
Anthony has been to ParkPlay 89 times and is now an ATF young leader at Briscoes Primary School in Basildon.
Positive Male Role Models
ParkPlay is led by local PlayLeaders – community members who organise, encourage, and nurture participants. Many of these PlayLeaders are men who model positive masculinity: collaborative rather than competitive, supportive rather than aggressive, emotionally expressive rather than repressed.
Young boys see these men creating safe spaces for fun and connection. They witness masculinity expressed through service, inclusion, and joy – powerful counterexamples to the “bro culture” that former England manager Gareth Southgate recently warned about in his televised lecture on influences shaping young men.
Leadership Pathways
Perhaps most importantly, ParkPlay offers progressive pathways for young men to develop their own leadership skills. What begins as participation can evolve into helping set up equipment, supporting younger children, and eventually becoming PlayLeaders themselves.
This leadership journey provides what many young men desperately seek: purpose, recognition, and community status. While toxic online influencers offer shortcuts to these rewards through division and anger, ParkPlay shows that the most satisfying path to respect comes through bringing people together.
The Data Supports Our Approach
Research by Active Essex and State of Life demonstrates ParkPlay’s significant impact on mental health and community connection. Our data shows:
- 81% of ParkPlayers report improved mental wellbeing
- 74% say their family’s physical activity has increased
- 59% report higher overall physical activity levels Importantly, “The highest positive effect is found in the 20% most deprived areas, where ParkPlay is mainly focused.” This matters because young men from disadvantaged communities often have fewer positive outlets and may be more vulnerable to harmful online influences.
Part of a Broader Movement
ParkPlay’s approach aligns perfectly with the Smaarter initiative we recently joined – a coalition of organisations working to address tech addiction while promoting real-world alternatives. As one of the “real world antidotes” that Smaarter champions, ParkPlay represents exactly the kind of community-based solution that can help young people find meaningful connection beyond screens.
By joining forces with other organisations under the “Less Scroll. More Soul” banner, we’re amplifying our impact and contributing to a growing movement that recognises the vital importance of offline experiences for healthy development and mental wellbeing.
Building a Different Path Forward
What “Adolescence” portrays – a young man isolated, bullied online, and ultimately driven to violence – represents the worst-case outcome of our current cultural moment. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Every Saturday morning across the UK, ParkPlay sessions demonstrate a different possibility: young men laughing, connecting, developing skills, and belonging to something positive. This isn’t just play – it’s prevention. It’s building resilience against the isolation that makes harmful ideologies attractive.
As we continue expanding ParkPlay nationwide, we’re committed to creating more spaces where young men can develop healthy identities offline. In a digital era where screens increasingly dominate young lives, the simple act of bringing communities together in parks represents a powerful intervention.
In the words of one young-at-heart ParkPlay participant:
“It’s fun, it’s good for me, and it’s an opportunity to connect with local people – from toddlers to grannies – that I haven’t experienced in 30 years living here.”
Sometimes the most effective solutions to complex problems are surprisingly simple. In ParkPlay’s case, the answer might just be right outside our door, in the parks where communities come together each weekend to play, connect, and thrive.
#MeetMovePlay
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ParkPlay is a UK charity dedicated to building happier, healthier communities through the life changing power of play. Find your nearest ParkPlay at www.park-play.com
Hello Finch is a partner of ParkPlay – Jemima Bird and Steve Denison co-founded the charity in 2019