BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
In a hopeful shift, children and teenagers are increasingly choosing to step away from their screens to care for their mental health, safety, and focus. Instead of waiting for parents or teachers to enforce rules, young people are beginning to take ownership of their digital habits.
According to new research from the audience insights firm GWI, the number of 12- to 15-year-olds who regularly take breaks from smartphones and devices has jumped by 18 percent since 2022. Today, around 40 percent of kids in that age group say they consciously step back from digital platforms. The survey included 20,000 young people and their parents across 18 countries.
Taking the lead on mental health
“Children have got the message – from their parents, the media, their own experiences – that too much social media isn’t always good for them,” said Professor Sonia Livingstone, director of the Digital Futures for Children centre at the London School of Economics. Her team’s forthcoming research echoes these trends: kids are trying various strategies to protect their well-being, from taking social media breaks to actively seeking more uplifting online spaces.
Rather than rejecting digital life altogether, many are experimenting. Livingstone believes these choices are often shaped by peer conversation. “They’re talking to each other about what works for them and figuring out the way ahead.”
Tech-savvy choices, not tech resistance
Some teenagers are choosing to delete apps that they feel drain their time or self-esteem. Others activate “do not disturb” settings or mute notifications to regain control over their attention spans.
Ofcom’s 2024 report reflects this growing consciousness. One-third of 8- to 17-year-olds say their screen time is too high, and nearly half of 16- to 24-year-olds use tools like notification blockers. This figure has risen from 40 percent in 2023 to 47 percent this year. Younger users were significantly more likely than older adults to pause or delete apps for their mental health.
David Ellis, professor of behavioural science at the University of Bath, noted that young people may be quicker than their parents to discover tools that help manage digital time. While evidence on long-term change is still emerging, Ellis added: “If someone is going to spend less time sitting in front of a screen and instead increase their levels of physical activity, then most people would probably view that as a net positive.”
When breaks become a quiet act of rebellion
Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the campaign Smartphone Free Childhood, regularly hears from teens feeling burnt out by constant connectivity. “Many of them are waking up to the fact that these platforms aren’t neutral. They’re designed to manipulate attention,” she said. “Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.”
That rebellion often comes with awareness: these platforms profit from kids’ time, focus, and self-worth. And some are pushing back. According to GWI, social media addiction now ranks among parents’ top three fears for their children, alongside climate change and housing costs. Alarmingly, more than three-quarters of young people say they feel worse about themselves after using social media.
What parents can learn from kids
Interestingly, while some young people express frustration at the lack of guidance from older generations, they are now setting the example. A number of 18- to 25-year-olds told The Guardian they were handed smartphones too early and would delay device access for their own children.
A recent poll revealed that almost half of young people would prefer a world without the internet. A similar proportion said they would support a digital curfew, a clear sign that today’s digital natives are carving out a more balanced path, even if it goes against expectations.
In the quiet choices to unplug, set boundaries, and prioritize well-being, kids are sending a powerful message: mindfulness about tech isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.
