A new study from the British Standards Institution shows that a significant portion of young people in the UK are becoming disillusioned with the internet.
46% of people from the age group 16-21 said they would prefer to grow up in a world where the internet didn’t exist.
The findings highlight growing concern among youth about the negative impact of online spaces, particularly social media. Nearly 70% of those surveyed reported feeling worse about themselves after using social media platforms, while a quarter admitted to spending more than four hours a day on these apps.
The survey also found that 50% of young respondents would support a "digital curfew" restricting access to apps and websites after 10 pm. This idea has gained traction amid speculation that the UK government may introduce mandatory usage limits on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle recently hinted at potential policy moves in that direction.
However, child safety advocates say that curfews alone are not enough. “We need to make clear that a digital curfew alone is not going to protect children from the risks they face online. They will be able to see all these risks at other points of the day and they will still have the same impact,” said Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC. She emphasised the need for “much safer and less addictive sites” for children.
The study, which surveyed 1,293 young people, also uncovered concerning behaviors related to online identity.
About 42% admitted to lying about their age, 40% had created burner or decoy accounts, and 27% said they had pretended to be someone else entirely online. Additionally, 27% reported sharing their location with strangers.
The pandemic has only intensified internet usage, with three-quarters of respondents saying they spent more time online due to lockdowns. A significant 68% believed that this increase in screen time had negatively affected their mental health.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, a suicide prevention charity, said the data shows young people are not only aware of the dangers but are also calling for change. “Algorithms can provide content that ‘can quickly spiral and take young people down rabbit holes of harmful and distressing material through no fault of their own’,” he said. He called for urgent legislative action to ensure a “safe by design” approach that prioritizes the well-being of children over tech industry profits.