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.

Building Sustainable Play Communities

What makes the female-led play revolution particularly powerful is its sustainability. Rather than importing external “experts,” ParkPlay empowers local women to become the catalysts for change in their own communities.

These leaders don’t just facilitate play—they build play cultures that continue beyond the Saturday sessions. They transform parks from spaces people simply pass through to genuine community hubs where connections flourish.

Join the Revolution

As we look to expand to 250 ParkPlays by 2027, we need more women (and men!) to join this movement. Whether you’re looking to participate, volunteer, or lead, ParkPlay offers a way to be part of restoring play to its rightful place at the heart of childhood, adulthood and community life.

We would love forward-thinking organisations and brands to become part of this play revolution. Just as Decathlon UK has recognised the power of community play by partnering with us, we welcome conversations with other organisations who share our vision of more active, connected communities. Together, we can amplify this movement and create lasting change in how society values play.

The crisis of play deprivation requires multiple, complementary solutions working in concert. As we champion women, in this month of IWD, let’s finish with this – Women across England are proving that sometimes, the most powerful change starts with something as simple as showing up in a park on Saturday morning and saying: “Let’s play!”

The revolution is happening in your local park. Will you join us? #MeetMovePlay

Find your local ParkPlay

Please visit our ParkPlay Parks page to find your local ParkPlay and come and join us for your ParkPlay session. We play every Saturday morning.