Boys need role models, not gaming and porn

Boys need role models not gaming and porn, Sir Gareth Southgate says

48 minutes ago Share Save Grace Dean BBC News Share Save

BBC Sir Gareth Southgate delivered this year's Dimbleby Lecture

Sir Gareth Southgate says he fears young men are spending too much time gaming, gambling and watching pornography - and they need better role models beyond online influencers. In a wide-ranging talk for the BBC's annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, the ex-England men's football manager spoke about his own experience of missing a crucial penalty at Euro 96, saying he didn't let it define him. "That pain still haunts me today," he said, "and I guess it always will." Referencing his own experiences, he said the UK needed to do more to encourage young people - especially young men - to make the right choices in life and to not fear failure.

Rather than turning to teachers, sports coaches or youth group leaders, Sir Gareth said he feared many young men were searching for direction online. There, he said they were finding a new kind of role model, one that too often did not have their best interests at heart. "These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain," he said. "They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, that strength means never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them."

Sir Gareth spoke about missing the crucial penalty in the 1996 Euros semi-final, when England lost to Germany. "Missing that penalty was undoubtedly a watershed moment that made me stronger, a better man," Sir Gareth said at the lecture. "It forced me to dig deep, and revealed an inner belief and resilience I never knew existed."

PA Media

He contrasted his own miss with Eric Dier's successful penalty kick against Colombia in 2018, when - with Sir Gareth as manager - England won a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time. During the intervening 22 years, he said there had been a change in mindset among England players. "In 1996, I had walked 30 yards to the penalty spot believing I would miss," he said. "In 2018, Eric had walked 30 yards to the penalty spot believing he would score." During Sir Gareth's career as a defender and midfielder, he played for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough and was in the England squad between 1995 and 2004. He took over as manager in 2016 and led the team to the 2018 World Cup semi-final, 2022 World Cup quarter-final and Euro finals in 2020 and 2024. He stepped down as manager in July, two days after England lost to Spain in the Euros. Sir Gareth has been credited with revitalising the England team and was knighted in the King's New Year Honours in December.

PA Media Sir Gareth celebrates after England beat Colombia following a penalty shootout at Spartak Stadium, Moscow, in July 2018

He is the latest in a line of academics, business leaders and other notable figures to deliver the Richard Dimbleby Lecture, which has been held most years since 1972 in memory of the broadcaster. Previous speakers have included King Charles III, when he was the Prince of Wales, tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Gates, and Christine Lagarde, then the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

'Too many young men are isolated'

Click here to read article