Research: Today’s 10-Year-Olds Struggle to Throw a Ball.
A recent report from The Center for Social Justice reveals that while two-thirds of 10-year-olds own smartphones and are familiar with their complexities, only 43 percent can throw a ball overarm.
Teachers surveyed by the Center indicated that children are arriving at school with alarmingly low levels of “core strength” due to spending excessive time indoors in sedentary environments, rather than being active outside.
So, what is “core strength” in children? This term refers to the stability and coordination of the muscles surrounding the abdomen, back, pelvis, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. These muscles provide a foundation for all movements, helping children maintain good posture, control their limbs, and perform daily activities effectively.
One teacher shared with the researchers, “I have two children in my class who cannot physically sit on the carpet. They lack core strength.” Another teacher noted that her 12-year-old student struggled to sit straight in her seat for more than 10-15 minutes, needing to take breaks lying down.
The report cautions that half of primary school children are currently not getting enough exercise, defined as less than 60 minutes of at least moderate-intensity physical activity each day. In contrast, over 40 percent of children under 13 now have a social media profile.
This trend coincides with a rapid rise in child obesity and mental health issues, both linked to children spending much of their free time online—a phenomenon that has led to the term “iPad kids.”
Reinforcing this concerning trend, national health survey data from the UK shows that one in six children aged eight to ten has a probable mental health disorder, up from one in ten just six years ago.
A study in New Zealand involving approximately 6,000 children aged two to eight found that more than 90 minutes of daily screen time is associated with below-average performance in communication, writing, and numeracy, as well as increased behavioral problems and early signs of anxiety disorders.
However, not all hope is lost. The CSJ report also suggests that small behavioral changes could have a significant impact. It was observed that if just 15 minutes of children’s daily screen time were replaced with physical activity, nearly 300,000 more primary school-aged children would meet healthy levels of physical activity.
Following this report, news emerged last week that Ontario is contemplating a complete ban on cellphones in schools, as well as restrictions on social media for children under a certain age.
Ontario’s Education Minister, Paul Calandra, stated, “We’re reflecting on a broader ban on cellphones. The evidence is becoming increasingly clear that cellphone use in our elementary and secondary schools is problematic.”
His comments came after Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that his province would become the first to ban kids from using social media. When asked if Ontario might consider a similar approach, Calandra replied, “Absolutely,” but added that Manitoba’s measures do not go far enough.
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