In a world where swiping, scrolling, and screen time have become second nature, a surprising number of young people are yearning for a break. A recent survey from the British Standards Institution (BSI) found that nearly half of individuals aged 16 to 21 say they’d rather grow up in a world without the internet at all. It’s a powerful statement from a generation often accused of being glued to their phones.
Even more telling, around 70% of the same age group admit that social media actually makes them feel worse. And about half of them support the idea of a digital curfew—cutting off app access after 10 p.m. The data suggests a growing weariness of life lived online and a deep desire for something more grounded and meaningful.
This isn’t just idle nostalgia or rebellion. Around the world, young people are actively seeking ways to step back from constant connectivity—and a unique initiative from the Netherlands is helping them do just that.
The Offline Club: Where Phones Are Out and People Are In
Meet The Offline Club, a movement that’s quickly turning into a lifestyle. Started by three Dutch entrepreneurs—Ilya Kneppelhout, Jordy van Bennekom, and Valentijn Klok—the club organizes in-person meetups where phones and laptops are banned. Their mission is clear: create real-life moments in a world dominated by digital noise.
“Swap screen time for real time,” reads their slogan, and it resonates deeply. Ironically, they’ve built a significant online following—over 530,000 Instagram users—by encouraging people to step away from the very platforms they promote on.
At Offline Club events, there are no screens, no notifications, and no doomscrolling. Instead, people are invited to read physical books, journal, paint, play board games, or simply enjoy quiet time. Some sessions last just a few hours, while others span several days in what they call Digital Detox Retreats.
What started in Amsterdam has now grown into a movement spanning across Europe. From London to Paris, Milan to Copenhagen, and even Berlin—people are showing up in person, willingly putting their phones away to engage with the world around them.
In April, the club hosted its largest event yet in London, drawing over 1,000 participants who happily shut off their phones for the day. Photos from the gathering—yes, shared later online—show smiling faces unlit by blue light.
Governments Step In As Digital Concerns Grow
The growing interest in disconnecting isn’t just personal—it’s political. Governments around the world are starting to take action against excessive screen time, especially among the youth.
In the UK, Technology Minister Peter Kyle has hinted at introducing digital curfews. Norway is considering raising the legal age for social media use from 13 to 15. Australia has already gone further, setting the minimum age at 16 as of late 2024. Denmark has even banned smartphones and tablets from schoolyards in a bold attempt to reclaim childhood from screens.
These moves reflect an increasing recognition that unchecked digital consumption may be doing more harm than good.
The Mental Health Toll of Living Online
The concern goes far beyond distraction. Numerous studies have now linked heavy smartphone use with rising rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and addictive behavior—especially among young people.
A study published earlier this year in BMC Medicine revealed that cutting back on phone use led to a 27% drop in depressive symptoms in just three weeks. Meanwhile, the OECD reports that teen mental health has sharply declined over the past 15 years, with the pandemic and its reliance on digital communication further worsening the trend.
Although researchers are still cautious about drawing a direct line between smartphone use and mental illness, the association is clear enough to prompt action—and introspection.
A Shift in Culture: Less Online, More In Real Life
Despite the tech industry’s grip on modern life, cracks are forming in the screen. The idea of going offline is no longer radical—it’s increasingly attractive. Even the so-called “boring phones,” those basic devices without apps, are making a modest comeback.
Restaurants, cafes, and even clubs are beginning to adopt no-phone policies, creating pockets of digital-free space in everyday life. The popularity of these experiences shows a growing hunger for authenticity and human connection—things that can’t be downloaded or streamed.
The Offline Club is riding this wave, planning more events in more cities. For the founders and their growing community, this is more than just a social experiment—it’s a movement to restore balance in an always-on world.
And for many, it’s a relief. Turning off a phone, it turns out, may be the simplest way to truly tune in.
