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Smartphones, social media, online gaming and artificial intelligence have transformed the way young people grow up. But are these technologies opening up a world of opportunities, or are we becoming too dependent on our screens?
A Different Kind of Childhood
Think back to childhood before smartphones and social media. Meeting friends meant going outside, entertainment meant choosing what was on television, and there was a time when you could switch off from the world.
Today, children can access games, videos, social media and almost unlimited information from a device in their pocket. Friends are only a message away, and online gaming allows people to connect across the world.
Technology has obvious benefits, but it also brings challenges. Notifications never stop, videos keep playing, and the pressure to stay connected can follow young people everywhere.
Have we made technology part of our lives, or have our lives started revolving around technology?
Today, children can access games, videos, social media and almost unlimited information from a device in their pocket. Friends are only a message away, and online gaming allows people to connect across the world.
Technology has obvious benefits, but it also brings challenges. Notifications never stop, videos keep playing, and the pressure to stay connected can follow young people everywhere.
Have we made technology part of our lives, or have our lives started revolving around technology?
What Do the Numbers Tell Us?
Ofcom's Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes Report 2025–26 highlights just how important technology has become for young people in the UK.
The report found that:
The report found that:
- 99% of children aged 8–17 go online.
- 78% own a mobile phone.
- 43% list gaming among their favourite free-time activities.
- 37% say they think they spend too much time on screens.
- 56% have used artificial intelligence.
These figures show that technology is now a normal part of childhood. However, the fact that many children recognise they spend too much time on screens suggests that finding the right balance is becoming increasingly difficult.
Source: Ofcom – Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes.
Source: Ofcom – Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes.
Social Media: Connecting Us or Putting Us Under Pressure?
Social media helps young people stay in touch, share experiences and find communities built around their interests. For those who feel isolated, online friendships can make a real difference.
However, social media can also create pressure to look a certain way, gain likes and keep up with everyone else. Seeing carefully selected highlights of other people's lives can leave young people feeling that their own lives are not good enough.
Friendship can start to feel like a competition measured in followers, views and reactions.
The problem isn't that social media exists. It's whether young people feel they have to be online constantly to fit in.
However, social media can also create pressure to look a certain way, gain likes and keep up with everyone else. Seeing carefully selected highlights of other people's lives can leave young people feeling that their own lives are not good enough.
Friendship can start to feel like a competition measured in followers, views and reactions.
The problem isn't that social media exists. It's whether young people feel they have to be online constantly to fit in.
Gaming: A Positive Hobby or Too Much Screen Time?
At GamingDNA, we know gaming can be much more than sitting in front of a screen.
Games can encourage teamwork, problem-solving and creativity. Multiplayer experiences bring friends together, while gaming communities give people a place to share their interests and achievements.
But gaming needs balance, too.
Daily rewards, competitive rankings and limited-time events can make it tempting to keep playing longer than planned. Problems can arise when gaming regularly affects sleep, schoolwork, relationships or other activities.
The World Health Organization reported that 12% of adolescents surveyed across Europe, central Asia and Canada showed signs of being at risk of problematic gaming. This does not mean that 12% of all young people worldwide are addicted to games.
Enjoying gaming is not the problem. Losing control over how much time it takes up can be.
Source: World Health Organization – Teens, screens and mental health.
Games can encourage teamwork, problem-solving and creativity. Multiplayer experiences bring friends together, while gaming communities give people a place to share their interests and achievements.
But gaming needs balance, too.
Daily rewards, competitive rankings and limited-time events can make it tempting to keep playing longer than planned. Problems can arise when gaming regularly affects sleep, schoolwork, relationships or other activities.
The World Health Organization reported that 12% of adolescents surveyed across Europe, central Asia and Canada showed signs of being at risk of problematic gaming. This does not mean that 12% of all young people worldwide are addicted to games.
Enjoying gaming is not the problem. Losing control over how much time it takes up can be.
Source: World Health Organization – Teens, screens and mental health.
The Endless Scroll and the Rise of AI
Modern apps make it easy to spend hours online without realising how much time has passed. Autoplay, notifications and endless feeds encourage people to keep watching, while gaming events can make players worry about missing out.
Artificial intelligence adds another challenge. It can help with learning, creativity and research, but it can also produce incorrect information or convincing fake images and videos.
Young people need to learn how to use these tools responsibly, question what they see and understand when information needs checking.
Technology skills are important, but knowing when not to trust technology is just as important as knowing how to use it.
Artificial intelligence adds another challenge. It can help with learning, creativity and research, but it can also produce incorrect information or convincing fake images and videos.
Young people need to learn how to use these tools responsibly, question what they see and understand when information needs checking.
Technology skills are important, but knowing when not to trust technology is just as important as knowing how to use it.
What Are We Missing Out On?
Perhaps the biggest concern is what happens when every spare moment is filled by a screen.
Time outdoors, face-to-face conversations, hobbies and simply being bored can all have value. Not every quiet moment needs to be filled with another video or notification.
Of course, the past wasn't perfect, and technology has created opportunities previous generations never had. Online communities can provide genuine friendships, and digital tools can make learning more accessible.
The goal shouldn't be to remove technology from childhood. It should be to make sure there is still room for experiences beyond it.
Time outdoors, face-to-face conversations, hobbies and simply being bored can all have value. Not every quiet moment needs to be filled with another video or notification.
Of course, the past wasn't perfect, and technology has created opportunities previous generations never had. Online communities can provide genuine friendships, and digital tools can make learning more accessible.
The goal shouldn't be to remove technology from childhood. It should be to make sure there is still room for experiences beyond it.
Finding the Right Balance
Parents, schools, technology companies and young people all have a role to play.
A few simple steps can help:
A few simple steps can help:
- Make time offline: Encourage hobbies, exercise, family activities and time with friends.
- Set sensible boundaries: Agree on gaming limits and device-free times, particularly around bedtime.
- Talk openly: Discuss online safety, cyberbullying, privacy and the pressures of social media.
- Think critically: Question online claims and check information generated by AI.
- Lead by example: Adults should consider their own screen habits, too.
The answer isn't to ban every phone or condemn gaming. It's to help young people enjoy technology without allowing it to take over their lives.
Conclusion: Is Technology Controlling Us?
Technology offers the next generation incredible opportunities. It connects friends, supports learning, encourages creativity and gives gamers communities in which they can belong.
But constant connectivity also brings pressure, distraction and the risk of missing out on experiences away from screens.
Perhaps technology hasn't taken over every young person's life. Perhaps we've simply reached a point where we need to think more carefully about how much space we allow it to occupy.
Technology should expand our world, not become our entire world.
But constant connectivity also brings pressure, distraction and the risk of missing out on experiences away from screens.
Perhaps technology hasn't taken over every young person's life. Perhaps we've simply reached a point where we need to think more carefully about how much space we allow it to occupy.
Technology should expand our world, not become our entire world.
Join the Discussion on GamingDNA
We want to hear your views!
Has technology taken over the lives of the next generation, or are concerns about screen time exaggerated?
Are smartphones and social media making it harder for young people to socialise in person? Is gaming a positive hobby, or can it become too much of a good thing?
Head over to the GamingDNA forums and join the discussion. Whether you grew up before smartphones or have never known a world without them, we'd love to hear your perspective.
Has technology taken over the lives of the next generation, or are concerns about screen time exaggerated?
Are smartphones and social media making it harder for young people to socialise in person? Is gaming a positive hobby, or can it become too much of a good thing?
Head over to the GamingDNA forums and join the discussion. Whether you grew up before smartphones or have never known a world without them, we'd love to hear your perspective.