In today's society there is a high praise to athletes all around the world, but they did not get to where they are overnight. Most athletes started at a very young age by participating in sports and physical activity through clubs, schools, and other avenues. This early participation allowed them to become the great athletes they are today; however, a small percentage of athletes actually turn their sport into a career with a high paying salary, like that of LeBron James or  Floyd Mayweather. Therefore, with the fast-paced world we live in today, where almost everything we do needs to have a purpose with an impact, some might ask, "What is the point of allowing my child to participate in sports?" Well the answer to that is, participation in sports and physical activity for children and adolescents increases productivity in school, helps them stay healthy and active now and into adulthood, increases social opportunities, helps them step away from electronics, and promotes positive effects for children with mental and physical disabilities. Therefore, with all these positive effects it is clear that children and adolescents should participate in sports and physical activity as it has a tremendously positive effect on their overall wellbeing.

One of the biggest concerns parents have for their children is how they are doing in school. With students spending anywhere from thirteen to thirty years of theirs lives in school, it can be a burden to continuously be productive and energetic at school. But researchers have determined that with an acceptable amount of physical activity, the productivity of students at school can prominently increase. This type of physical activity can be obtained to some measure through physical education at school; however, many school districts across the country have begun to reduce physical education requirements and even completely eradicate the program in order to allow students more academic time (Coe 1515). Although, cutting of physical education courses has shown no evidence to actually improve academic achievements for students (Coe 1515). In fact, studies have shown that participating in physical educations courses alongside some vigorous activity outside the classroom increased students' animation and decreased boredom which could lead to increased attention, concentration, and self-esteem. All of these effects led to improved classroom behavior and academic performance (Coe 1515). These effects were most prominently noted for children who were enrolled in physical education courses as well as about an hour of physical activity outside of school (Coe 1518). This necessary addition of other physical activity outside of school could most easily be accomplished through participation in sports. Engaging in sports would increase the effects physical education was originally intended for, being physical fit and active.

It is well known that one of the key components to being healthy is to be physically active regularly. People who are active are at a lower risk for many mental and physical health conditions than their inactive counterparts (Eime 1). Participation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day for adolescents can cause "increased physical fitness, reduced body fat, favourable cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk profiles, enhanced bone health and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety" (Eime 1). Not only is physical health important but in recent years the importance of mental health has begun to emerge as just as important. Some mental health benefits for children participating in sports include, "being emotionally controlled ... having confidence and disciple" as well as "higher rates of self-knowledge and emotional regulation than those involved in other activities" (Eime 15, 16). All of these benefits can be achieved through adolescent participation in sports however, the benefits seem to be higher when children are involved in team sports (Eime 16). This is most likely due to feeling socially accepted by the team and having peers around to support the children. Added mental benefits to sports participation include decreased feelings of hopelessness and suicide, feeling happier about life, feeling less depressed, and having higher body image (Eime 16, 17). While added physical benefits to sports participation include higher physical functioning, higher general health, and a higher pain tolerance (Eime 17). Not only do these many benefits positively impact the child at the time of sports participation but studies have shown that children who are active, are more likely to be so into adulthood. Participating in sports as a child would allow kids to carry the mental and physical benefits with them throughout their lifetime (Tammelin 22). With this in mind, having more children participate in sports and physical activity could help to decrease the current obesity dilemma associated with low levels of physical activity (Eime 19).

Another positive outcome for children participating in sports and physical activity, closely related with positive mental health, is the many social opportunities provided for the child. As previously mentioned, team sports help children maximize the benefits of sports participation most likely due to feeling socially accepted and having support from peers. Adolescent sports participation has been shown to increase social skills such as cooperation, relationships, sportsmanship, and teamwork to name a few (Eime 14). Positive relationships amongst peers, coaches, and parents can be made through sports participation (Eime 15). These relationships help children obtain the many mental health benefits previously mentioned such as feeling happier, less depressed, and more socially accepted. Participation in sports at a young age has also shown reduced social anxiety over time compared to adolescents not participating in sports. This is another benefit that can carry over from childhood into adulthood as social anxiety continually decreases with participation.

One common hobby for adolescents that has become prevalent in recent years is the abundant participation in social media. "In the United States 90% of adolescents have used social media" with about one third using it many times a day (Concerns e62). With such a high capacity of kids using this platform, there is bound to be effects from it whether positive or negative. For instance, cyberbullying is a common occurrence within social media with 20-40% of adolescents claiming to have been victims (Concerns e63). Cyberbullying has shown effects such as increased anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem, and lower grades/standardized test scores in victims (Concerns e63). The negative effects of social media participation continue with relationship and social problems, increased risk of substance abuse, alcohol and tobacco use, violent behavior, and even sleep deprivation (Concerns e63). Not only that, but as children participate in social media they leave behind a "digital footprint" which includes information left behind by the children about the things they have done on the internet that can be traced back to them, whether it be good or bad (Concerns e63). Increasingly prospective colleges and employers are using this digital footprint to judge a candidate and just about anything that happened on the internet can be found (Concerns e63). 

With all of these social media effects, it would behoove children and adolescents to participate in sports and physical activity to avoid the "social media" world as much as possible. The effects of social media are completely opposite to that of sports, whereas stated before sports participation has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression and increase self-esteem, academic productivity, and positive relationships. Not only are sports participation effects helpful for a child in mind and body but the negative effects that one's digital footprint can cause can be replaced with positive effects from participation in sports. Then, instead of employers and colleges being discouraged by one's digital footprint and negative social media presence, they could be impressed by one's determination and work ethic instilled through sports participation. In addition to employers and colleges, there is also the chance of scholarship opportunities being negatively impacted by one's digital footprint whereas they could be positively impacted by one's sports participation.

However, the impact of social media is less of a concern for children with disabilities as the child's mental and physical wellbeing take precedence. With eighteen percent of children and adolescents in the United States having a chronic condition or disability it is important for adults to understand the need for physical activity and sports participation in their lives (Murphy 1057). The Special Olympics is one of the most prominent options for children with intellectual disabilities with over one million athletes from 125 countries participating (Murphy 1057).  Special Olympics participants show increased self-esteem, increase in perception of physical competence, and an increase in peer acceptance (Murphy 1058). However, with the Special Olympics requiring minimal time commitment, there is a need for other sports and physical activity in a special needs child's life. Regular physical activity for a child with disabilities has been shown to decrease body fat, help control or slow the advancement of certain disabilities, improve overall health and function, and assist with the psychosocial effects of the condition on the children and their families (Murphy 1057). Regular physical activity in special needs children is also necessary for "normal muscle strength, flexibility, and joint structure and function" (Murphy 1058). In addition, obesity is more of a concern for children with disabilities as opposed to children without disabilities because they are generally more sedentary; physical activity and sports participation could help avoid the risk of obesity (Murphy 1058). Without physical activity, children with disabilities show "reduced cardiovascular fitness, osteoporosis, impaired circulation ... decreased self-esteem, decreased social acceptance, and ultimately, greater dependence on others" (Murphy 1058). One of the most prominent reasons sports participation and physical activity for special needs children does not occur, according to parents, is due to the difficulty to find facilities (Murphy 1059). However, this in mind, a good source of physical activity can come from physical education courses at school. Studies have shown that for students with a mental retardation, mental practice of a certain task coincided with physical practice of the task helps with learning enhancement (Hemayattalab 85). Therefore, practice of certain tasks at school may help children learn the tasks better and more effectively use them outside of school.

Despite all of the positive impacts participation in sports and physical activity has for children and adolescents, some believe the negative effects of sports participation are more abundant. The most common concerns regarding adolescent sports participation include the risk of injuries (particularly overuse) and the increased risk of peer pressure leading to behavioral issues. With our fast paced society there can sometimes be too much pressure to do too many things at one time, and this could even translate over into participating in too many sporting events at one time. Too much time put into sports can cause "overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout," a syndrome that may cause chronic muscle/joint pain, change in personality, increased heart rate, fatigue, and even decreased performance in the sport itself (Orton 1, 2). Kids participating in sports and physical activity may be reluctant to admit these issues due to the "no pain, no gain" attitude instilled in their brains (Orton 1). There is also concern that sports participation may cause conditions such as SPA, social physique anxiety, and DEAB, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors (Lanfranchi 150). These two conditions both revolve around a distorted image of one's self based off of peer pressure, lowered self-esteem, and many other things which causes the individual to develop mental health issues and/or take action to try and become the image they believe they should be. Participation in sports and physical activity would seem to be a healthy way to attain this image; however, the start of SPA and DEAB may stem from the social components prevalent in sports participation (Lanfranchi 150). Another behavioral concern that may arise from peer pressure is underage and/or excess alcohol consumption. Some believe participating in sports may actually increase alcohol use which in turn has been shown to cause negative impacts on physical fitness and sports participation (Halldorsson 312, 313).

These negative effects of participation in sports and physical activity, however, can be mostly avoided if addressed in the correct manner. The chance of injury in sports is always present, as it is in any aspect of our daily lives; however, the risk of injuries can be dramatically decreased by making sure proper technique is used when participating in sports. In addition, overuse injuries can be decreased if adolescents limit sports participation to a maximum of five days a week and throughout the year having at least two to three months off to rest and allow any injuries time to heal (Orton 2). Regarding peer pressure leading to SPA and DEAB, there is no interaction to clearly show that sports participation is directly related to an increase or development of SPA and DEAB symptoms (Lanfranchi 156). Lastly, there are far too many contributing factors related to an increase or development of alcohol consumption to confidently say that sports participation directly impacts alcohol consumption (Halldorsson 313). Therefore, the biggest concerns regarding sports participation have little to no evidence to prove their validity and/or they can be mostly avoided.

Despite the minimal evidence regarding sports and physical activity concerns, the easiest way to avoid the possible negative effects is through proper, involved parenting. Most notably, parents should monitor the levels of activity their child is participating in to prevent the child from "burning out" and becoming overly fatigued (Orton 2). Also parents who use a parenting style "high in warmth and low in harsh control" are more often associated with healthy child development (Ansari 564, 565). On the other hand, parents who show too much control over their children risk their child being unable to develop their own ideas of morality and their own social skills which could lead to rebelling, acting out, giving into peer pressure, and other negative behaviors (Ansari 565). This lack of moral development leads to children who are more likely to be defiant and develop delinquent behaviors (Ansari 565).Therefore, parents need to have a strong but understanding presence in their child's life to help guide them in a healthy direction. This parenting style will assist in preventing children from succumbing to peer pressure and being negatively impacted by others.

In conclusion, with participation in sports and physical activity being such a prominent part of our world today it is important to know the positive impacts and how to avoid the negative impacts. With positive effects such as increased productivity in school, being healthy now and into adulthood, increased social opportunities, the ability to stray away from social media, and positive development for children with disabilities, it is clear that parents and guardians should encourage their children to participate in sports and physical activity. There are many different types of sports and physical activity available for children and adolescents to participate in and it is important for parents and the child to decide which is suitable for them. Once the appropriate source of physical activity has been chosen, the child can reap the many benefits now and throughout the rest of their lifetime. 

