One in four children see playing computer games 'as a form of exercise'

Nearly a quarter of British children view playing video games as a form of exercise, according to a survey of young people's attitudes to physical education.

The Youth Sport Trust, a UK charity that promotes sport and PE, surveyed 1,000 children on their attitudes to sport and physical activity.

It found that while children overwhelmingly enjoyed PE lessons at school and many wanted to play more sport, 23 per cent of children thought "playing a type of computer game with friends is a type of exercise".

In its report, titled 'The Class of 2035', the charity highlights concerns about the future of sports for young people in Britain, saying that future is "up for grabs" and that sports must remain a priority.

A section of the report that focuses on young people's use of tehcnology and social media noted that "technology plays heavily in the lives of young people" but said that a fondness for social media should not be taken "as a sign of young people’s closed-mindedness to other forms of social activity".

The report suggests schools incorporate technology into sports lessons and encourages a long-term approach by policy makers.