My wife and I consider ourselves very lucky that our son was at least 16 until the internet took off properly. Up until that point we had some pressure from him to have the gadgets and games that his school mates had, but obviously not as much pressure as I think modern day kids have. We refused point blank that any such gadgets and games would cross our doorstep until he was 16+! We were such horrible parents! He was down from Edinburgh last weekend and we can all laugh about that period in our lives now, at least he was able to say, that for him, he now believes that our attitude at the time was right. As he said, at least he managed to get two masters degrees and has put down to the fact that he never feels distracted by gadgetry, even today he only has a mobile, but his mates did and were always under pressure to catch up!
Sorry about the preamble but I've often wondered if there is a correlation between modern technology and its all embracing capture of young minds and what seems to be and I know I'm really generalizing here, but as I personally experience it, a lack of adventure, motivation, drive, energy and the enjoyment of 'actual real life', in people that I personally would call 'young'? I'm speaking now as a pub local, the number of 'young' people that I come in contact with who have, as I see it, hardly any quality of life whatsoever, all centered around, booze, fags and living in the bubble of their screens!
I think the Lake District is a great place for young people, I remember when I my son 'walked' up his first mountain, it was Cat Bells, he was around 2yrs old and he walked, I dragged (he was on reigns) and I carried him up to the top and then down again. I don't know if your son would be interested but I believe their is a zip wire, Ferrata, etc up at the mines south of Keswick. I'd love to have a go but have not made it their yet. I also believe that there are some well liked and respected off-road mountain bike routes nearby as well. Have fun!