What if the next wave of rebellion wasn’t about breaking curfew—but logging off?
Across the globe, more kids are hitting pause on their smartphones—not because their parents told them to, but because they want to.
According to new research by GWI, 40% of 12- to 15-year-olds now take deliberate breaks from screens, an 18% jump since 2022.
What’s The Reason?
Mental health. Focus. Even personal safety.
“Children have got the message,” says Prof Sonia Livingstone from LSE.
“They’re finding their own ways to protect their wellbeing without ditching social media entirely.”
Whether it’s muting notifications, deleting apps, or going full ‘Do Not Disturb,’ kids are experimenting with balance.
Daisy Greenwell of Smartphone Free Childhood adds, “Many teens are waking up to the fact that these platforms aren’t neutral.
Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.”
Ofcom data echoes the trend: a third of young people say their screen time is too high.
Almost half of 16- to 24-year-olds are using tools to cut down.
It’s a twist few saw coming—Gen Z teaching their elders how to unplug.
Maybe the future isn’t about banning screens, but learning to power down with purpose.
