2 August 2025, 07:00

By William Mata

Growing up in a middle-class town, the one issue that dominated the local paper week after week was ‘will Tonbridge get a skate park?’ and ‘where will it be?’

The thought of teenagers hanging out (although this was usually described as ‘loitering’, or even ‘lurking’) near them was enough for many to write a letter of objection to the council.

I grew up in a time when the biggest issue facing secondary schoolers was not having enough to do. The mere presence was considered worthy of shops installing irritating high-pitch sound systems (undetectable to adult ears) to drive them away.

Perhaps the naysayers of the day got their way as, these days, teens are more likely to stay in and interact with friends online than physically meet up.

© LBC