A new European study commissioned by Vodafone reveals that a majority of Irish teens want to reduce their screen time and find more offline activities. The 2025 Gen Z and Alpha Smartphone Study, which included 500 Irish teens, found a strong desire among young people for a better balance between their digital and real lives.
The study’s key findings for Ireland show that:
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63% of young people aged 11–17 want to cut back on their screen time, with this figure rising to 96% for 16–17-year-olds.
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83% said having more real-life things to do would help them use their phones more healthily.
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76% believe that real-life moments with friends and family bring them more happiness than online content.
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92% expressed a desire for tools that would help them go offline and discover local activities.
This desire for a more balanced lifestyle comes as a separate survey reveals that 93% of Irish parents are worried their children are missing out on the character-shaping experiences they had growing up. Top childhood memories for parents surveyed included knocking on a friend’s door to play and visiting the seaside.
In response, Vodafone is launching ’18 Before 18′, a list of screen-free adventures co-created with the Vodafone Youth Council. This nostalgic “bucket list” aims to encourage teens to rediscover the joy of offline activities like wild swimming, foraging, and cooking over a campfire.
“Teens in Ireland are asking for more balance in their digital lives—and we’re listening,” said Liz Roche of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation. “Through initiatives like ’18 Before 18′ and tools such as Tozi, we’re helping them find that balance—empowering teens to explore more offline moments.”
Tozi, a free app developed by the Vodafone Foundation in partnership with the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and the ISPCC, is designed to help young people build healthier digital habits.
