Why more teens are switching off and embracing digital detox

According to a major survey by global research agency GWI, the number of 12- to 15-year-olds taking breaks from devices has jumped by 18% since 2022, with 40% now choosing to unplug at times.

And it’s not just a momentary trend – experts say it’s part of a growing shift in how young people think about tech, wellbeing and what they actually want from their online lives.

Why kids are switching off – in their own time

In an age where many parents feel like they’re constantly negotiating screen time limits, some children are taking matters into their own hands.

“They’ve got the message – from their parents, the media, their own experiences – that too much social media isn’t always good for them,” Professor Sonia Livingstone, director of the Digital Futures for Children centre at LSE, told The Guardian. “So they are experimenting with different ways of protecting their wellbeing, without wanting to give up on social media entirely.”

That might mean turning off notifications, deleting apps or using ‘do not disturb’ mode – all now common tactics. In fact, a separate Ofcom report found that 47% of 16- to 24-year-olds are switching off alerts, up from 40% last year.

It seems the generation often labelled as “glued to their screens” may actually be one step ahead.

Mental health – and a bit of rebellion

At the heart of this shift is a very modern burnout. Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood, says young people are increasingly questioning whether being online 24/7 is really what they want.

“We regularly hear from teenagers who are exhausted by the pressure of being permanently connected,” she told The Guardian, “and who are choosing to step back for their own mental health.”

Some teens even see stepping away from social media as an act of rebellion. “They are realising that their time, focus and self-esteem are being monetised by some of the world’s biggest companies,” Greenwell added. “Taking a break has become an act of rebellion.”

And it’s clearly resonating. Among eight- to 17-year-olds surveyed by Ofcom, a third said they thought they spent too much time on screens. Of those aged 16 to 24, over a third were deliberately taking breaks from social media, and nearly a quarter said they had deleted apps specifically for their mental health.

Parents taking note – but not the lead

Interestingly, while it’s often assumed parents are the ones enforcing screen limits, the data suggests the change is being driven by teens themselves.

For some young adults, the regret is real. In interviews with The Guardian, 18- to 25-year-olds said they felt they were given too much access to smartphones too early, and many said they’d delay giving smartphones to their own children. One said, “I don’t think my brain should have gone through that.”

Some parents are tightening limits, though, especially after being influenced by pop culture. According to the GWI survey, 8% of parents said they became stricter after watching Adolescence, a hit Netflix documentary exploring the dangers of online misogyny and manipulation.

Still, a huge proportion of the digital detox movement appears to be youth-led, and that’s striking a chord with experts. “I’m sure they’re talking to each other about what works for them,” said Livingstone, “and figuring out the way ahead.”

What this means for your family

If your child has ever said they want to delete TikTok “just for a bit”, it might not be a passing phase. With a growing number of kids aware of how their online lives affect their mood, confidence and sleep, switching off is becoming cool – or at least, normal.

And while some might worry this means cutting off from friends or missing out, many experts say the benefits of digital breaks can be real. “If someone is going to spend less time sitting in front of a screen and instead increase their levels of physical activity,” said Ellis, “then most people would probably view that as a net positive.”

Whether it’s deleting Instagram for the holidays, muting group chats during exams, or simply turning phones off at night, this generation of digital natives may finally be doing what many parents have hoped for: figuring it out for themselves.

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