Teens call week without social media 'boring'

Seven teenagers in Bristol who stopped using social media for a week say they were left feeling "bored" but that they also slept better, spent more time with family and focused more at school.

The 14 and 15‑year‑olds, all in Year 10 at King's Oak Academy, say they usually spend up to seven hours a day scrolling on apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.

They shared their experiences with the BBC as the government considers tighter restrictions on social media use for under‑16s, including potential bans, curfews and time limits.

Their teachers say the experiment had a noticeable impact, with pupils appearing "happier, more relaxed" and say it is helping to shape future mobile phone policy.

Liv, Elizabeth, Jai, Joel, Ella, Issy and Joshua all agreed to come off their favourite social media platforms for seven days.

When asked to sum up their experiences, one word came up repeatedly: "Boring".

"There's not really been much for me to do," said Liv.

"I scroll on TikTok a lot - I feel like that's what I do," Elizabeth agreed.

"I just haven't found anything as interesting because when you go on your phone it shows you stuff it thinks you would like," added Joshua.

Some of the teenagers said they found themselves opening social media apps by mistake during the experiment, describing the habit as automatic.

As well as boredom, the week without social media also left some feeling disconnected from what was happening in the world.

"Social media is where we get all our news so I didn't know about stuff that was happening," explained Liv.

"Sixteen‑year‑olds can vote soon, how are we going to know everything? A lot of stuff is biased, and our family will be biased - how do we get all the information ourselves if we didn't have social media?"

Without hours spent scrolling on their phones, many said they turned to family time, TV, books and walks instead.

"I spent more time with my little brother, and read more," said Issy.

"I've spoken to my mum more," said Joel.

Elizabeth had a similar experience: "I just speak more to my family I guess, 'cause I'm usually always in my room."

"I just went downstairs and watched TV, or went out and just walked," said Jai.

"I've been watching movies instead and going on walks," Ella said.

Despite struggling with the sudden change, several teenagers said there were clear benefits to stepping away from social media.

"I got better sleep," explained Joel.

"I actually fall asleep with my phone on, and it always plays in the background and then wakes me up in the middle of the night. I have to turn it off and then go back to sleep, and now I haven't had that," he said.

Issy said the break helped her reconnect with her grandmother.

"Me and my Nan bond over true crime, so I've been reading some of the books that she's lent me that I've kept putting off, watching videos."

Not being on social media has given Liv more time for study.

"I've been really working on my music, and locking-in on my homework," she said.

The Bristol experiment comes as the UK government trials digital curfews, app time limits and potential social media bans in the homes of hundreds of teenagers.

It will run alongside the government's consultation asking whether the UK should follow in Australia's footsteps by making it illegal for under-16s to have access to many social media platforms.

Having been through their own seven-day trial, that idea doesn't seem popular with the students at King's Oak Academy.

"I'd riot!" reacted Liv.

"I'm not doing that. People don't want teenagers outside all the time, but that's what they're gonna do if you take away social media," she said.

"It brings people closer together," added Issy.

"Communities and people can bond over stuff. In moderation, social media can be like a really good thing."

Teachers at King's Oak Academy say they noticed a clear difference during the week‑long experiment.

"Children just looked happier, more relaxed during the course of the week," explains Senior Principal Katherine Ogden.

"They've been socialising with their friends, and being in lessons learning and focusing. All of that has been a positive impact."

She said the school was now using the experience to review its approach to mobile phone use.

"We know there are addictive properties to some social media apps, so we are challenging ourselves to find the right balance, so children can access learning, enjoy their time in school, and manage their social media use."

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