A growing number of young people across Europe are choosing to disconnect from their smartphones and reconnect with the world around them.
Offline clubs — spaces where devices are set aside in favor of books, board games, and face-to-face interaction — are on the rise. What began in Amsterdam has now spread to cities like London, Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen.
This shift is also influencing the hospitality industry. Some restaurants and nightclubs have begun encouraging guests to leave their phones behind, promoting more present and engaged experiences.
A recent study by the British Standards Institution (BSI) reveals that nearly 70% of young people aged 16 to 21 feel worse when they spend time on social media. Furthermore, half of those surveyed would support a “digital curfew” — restricting access to certain apps and websites after 10 PM, and 46% said they would prefer to live their youth in a world without the Internet.
Healthcare professionals are sounding the alarm over the impact of constant screen time. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to mental health issues including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and addictive behaviors. Research published in BMC Medicine reports that after just three weeks of minimal gadget use, symptoms of depression decrease by 27%.
As awareness of these risks grows, more young people are taking deliberate steps to reclaim their time and well-being — no screen required.
