Hi Team Stony Tennis,
The recent Netflix series Adolescence has hit me hard as a parent because it reflects everything I worry about for my kids. Nothing scares me more than raising them in a world where social media dictates their self-worth, where their attitudes shift based on online trends, and where they compare themselves to influencers rather than finding value in real-life experiences. Watching the series felt like watching a warning sign—one that I’m already seeing play out in my own older children.
Today’s kids are growing up with their lives constantly on display. Every post, every comment, every photo is judged, fuelling an endless cycle of comparison. When I was young, I might have compared myself to a handful of friends. Now, my children are comparing themselves to millions of people online.
The pressure is immense, and I’ve seen firsthand how it affects my older kids, who are 16 and 18. They’ve told me about the anxiety, the need to keep up appearances, and the way their friends’ behaviours have changed because of social media. Fortunately, they’re smart enough to know right from wrong, but even so, they’re not immune to its influence. This is exactly why I’m doing everything in my power to protect my younger kids from the same exposure.
Another disturbing reality Adolescence highlights is the shift in role models. It frustrates me that today’s kids look up to influencers—people who create content purely for engagement, often promoting shallow or harmful messages. When I was growing up, role models were parents, teachers, athletes, and community leaders. Now, many kids idolise internet personalities who care more about likes and views than setting a good example.
I refuse to let that happen in my home. My younger children will not be shaped by influencers whose primary goal is to sell a fantasy or push toxic trends. It’s up to me to make sure they find role models in real people, not online personas.
I know some people will think my approach is extreme, but I don’t care. I’ve deleted YouTube and any other junk TV from my young kids’ iPads and the TV. They will not have a smartphone before they turn 16, and they won’t be allowed social media accounts until after that. I know they’ll challenge me on it, but as a parent, my job isn’t to make them happy in the short term—it’s to do what’s best for them in the long run.
I’ve seen the effects of social media on my older children. Even though they’re aware of the issues, they still feel the pressure. That’s proof enough for me that I need to do things differently with my younger ones. I refuse to let them grow up with a warped sense of reality, shaped by influencers who only care about their own gain.
The best way I know to fight back against screen addiction is to give my kids something real to hold onto. For me, that’s sport—especially tennis. It keeps them active, challenges their minds, and forces them to interact with people face-to-face. Tennis teaches discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities that no social media app can provide.
Some people might think that having kids play five or six hours of tennis a week is overdoing it. But do they stop to consider that many kids spend five or six hours a day glued to screens? Prioritising physical activity isn’t extreme—it’s necessary.
I felt compelled to write this because I know I’m not alone. I know other parents see what’s happening and feel just as helpless. But we don’t have to stand by and let social media dictate our children’s futures. We can take control, set boundaries, and make sure our kids grow up with real experiences, real friendships, and real values.
The world is changing fast, but our responsibility as parents hasn’t. We must raise strong, well-rounded kids who can think for themselves, build real relationships, and live meaningful lives—not just curate picture-perfect moments for the internet. Let’s stand firm and give our kids the best chance at a healthy, balanced future.
Please feel free to reply to this email if you have any comments or concerns you are facing, as it is really important we help each other for the benefit of our families.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
The recent Netflix series Adolescence has hit me hard as a parent because it reflects everything I worry about for my kids. Nothing scares me more than raising them in a world where social media dictates their self-worth, where their attitudes shift based on online trends, and where they compare themselves to influencers rather than finding value in real-life experiences. Watching the series felt like watching a warning sign—one that I’m already seeing play out in my own older children.
Today’s kids are growing up with their lives constantly on display. Every post, every comment, every photo is judged, fuelling an endless cycle of comparison. When I was young, I might have compared myself to a handful of friends. Now, my children are comparing themselves to millions of people online.
The pressure is immense, and I’ve seen firsthand how it affects my older kids, who are 16 and 18. They’ve told me about the anxiety, the need to keep up appearances, and the way their friends’ behaviours have changed because of social media. Fortunately, they’re smart enough to know right from wrong, but even so, they’re not immune to its influence. This is exactly why I’m doing everything in my power to protect my younger kids from the same exposure.
Another disturbing reality Adolescence highlights is the shift in role models. It frustrates me that today’s kids look up to influencers—people who create content purely for engagement, often promoting shallow or harmful messages. When I was growing up, role models were parents, teachers, athletes, and community leaders. Now, many kids idolise internet personalities who care more about likes and views than setting a good example.
I refuse to let that happen in my home. My younger children will not be shaped by influencers whose primary goal is to sell a fantasy or push toxic trends. It’s up to me to make sure they find role models in real people, not online personas.
I know some people will think my approach is extreme, but I don’t care. I’ve deleted YouTube and any other junk TV from my young kids’ iPads and the TV. They will not have a smartphone before they turn 16, and they won’t be allowed social media accounts until after that. I know they’ll challenge me on it, but as a parent, my job isn’t to make them happy in the short term—it’s to do what’s best for them in the long run.
I’ve seen the effects of social media on my older children. Even though they’re aware of the issues, they still feel the pressure. That’s proof enough for me that I need to do things differently with my younger ones. I refuse to let them grow up with a warped sense of reality, shaped by influencers who only care about their own gain.
The best way I know to fight back against screen addiction is to give my kids something real to hold onto. For me, that’s sport—especially tennis. It keeps them active, challenges their minds, and forces them to interact with people face-to-face. Tennis teaches discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities that no social media app can provide.
Some people might think that having kids play five or six hours of tennis a week is overdoing it. But do they stop to consider that many kids spend five or six hours a day glued to screens? Prioritising physical activity isn’t extreme—it’s necessary.
I felt compelled to write this because I know I’m not alone. I know other parents see what’s happening and feel just as helpless. But we don’t have to stand by and let social media dictate our children’s futures. We can take control, set boundaries, and make sure our kids grow up with real experiences, real friendships, and real values.
The world is changing fast, but our responsibility as parents hasn’t. We must raise strong, well-rounded kids who can think for themselves, build real relationships, and live meaningful lives—not just curate picture-perfect moments for the internet. Let’s stand firm and give our kids the best chance at a healthy, balanced future.
Please feel free to reply to this email if you have any comments or concerns you are facing, as it is really important we help each other for the benefit of our families.
Happy tennising!
John Cavill
Director of Tennis
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