Even teenagers are now sick of their own social media addictions and two thirds would not mind if the technology had never been invented, a new survey suggests.
A poll of 5,000 secondary school children found many are becoming disillusioned with the negative aspects of smartphone apps, such as online abuse and fake news.
Experts say a growing number of pupils are even adopting old-fashioned ‘brick’ mobiles with only rudimentary internet access to give them a break from Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
‘It’s the cool thing to do’: Experts say a growing number of pupils are shunning iPhones in favour of old-fashioned mobiles which simply allow them to text or call
The survey of pupils at independent and state schools in England found 63 per cent would not care if social media did not exist.
And even more pupils – 71 per cent – said they had taken temporary ‘digital detoxes’ to escape it.
Research for Digital Awareness UK on behalf of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), found a total of 57 per cent said they had received abusive comments online, while 52 per cent said social media makes them feel less confident about their looks and their life.
While many acknowledged they did not always enjoy their time online, 56 per cent admitted to being ‘on the edge of addiction’ when it came to checking their online accounts.
HMC, which represents top private schools, said many teachers are now working with pupils to introduce phone-free days or sessions.
Charlotte Robertson, co-founder of Digital Awareness UK, said: ‘It’s striking that we have this huge number of youngsters who are saying they could potentially live without social media.
Am I bovvered? A survery of teenagers in England found 63 per cent say they wouldn’t care if social media didn’t exist
‘We see them walking around with this tech almost attached to them – but they are now saying they are open to things like digital detoxing to allow them to take a break from technology.
‘They are starting to acknowledge that it is impacting their health and wellbeing in ways that they hadn’t recognised before.
‘We sometimes overestimate how much they are actually enjoying all of this time they are spending online.’
Interestingly, more than 60 per cent of respondents believed friends showed a ‘fake version’ of themselves on social media, but only 15 per cent said they did so themselves.
Asked to recommend improvements, students urged less advertising, less fake news, more creative content and greater privacy.
Classic: A favourite back in the early 2000s, phones such as the Nokia 3310 are seeing a resurgence as teenagers opt for ‘brick’ mobiles to escape the perils of social media
Miss Robertson said many teenagers had experienced the dark side of the internet with apps such as Sarahah, an anonymous messaging service which started as a workplace tool but is now being used by youngsters to bully each other.
She said a growing number are using ‘brick phones’ – primitive models from 15 years ago such as the Nokia 3310, which have been re-launched for people who do not want to be bothered by social media.
Celebrities including Kim Kardashian have also influenced youngsters with their own highly-publicised ‘digital detoxes’, she said.
‘This time last year it wasn’t the case at all, but now they are saying they are using their brick phones at the weekend,’ she said.
‘It’s suddenly just a cool thing to do. It’s about going out and having the security that you can contact someone if you need them… and being able to feel safe and connected but without the pressure to be responsive all the time.’
At Benenden, a private boarding school for girls in Kent, pupils recently undertook a voluntary three-day social media blackout when they handed over their phones.
It’s suddenly just a cool thing to do. It’s about going out and having the security that you can contact someone if you need them… and being able to feel safe and connected but without the pressure to be responsive all the time.
Headmistress Samantha Price said the survey results chimed with her experience of Benenden’s ‘phone fast’.
‘In the run-up I was worried about how the girls would cope but afterwards they were wondering what all the fuss had been about and said we should do it again but for even longer next time, which I found incredibly reassuring,’ she said.
‘When young people have time away from social media they see and feel the benefits: they sleep better, concentrate and therefore learn better and feel better.
‘Of course, social media and the internet are not the enemy – there are enormous positives to them – but it is a matter of finding the right balance, and all schools should be working hard to help children to achieve that balance.’
HMC chairman Chris King, headmaster of Leicester Grammar School, said: ‘It is fascinating to see the first indications of a rebellion against social media and reminds us that they may need help to take breaks from its constant demands.’
The survey, which was launched at the HMC’s annual conference in Belfast, was carried out in September among students at state-funded and independent schools in England.
Most of the responses came from students in years nine, 10 and 11.