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Take the Screen-Free Challenge

Could you go an entire week without using a tablet, phone, or other device?

May 12, 2025
By Ellen Song

As You Read, Think About: What would be the hardest thing about not using screens for a week?

“I don’t need my phone to accomplish everything in life.” —Reyhan Parmar Nasief

After school, Reginald Dumbleton texts friends and watches YouTube on his phone. Then he often plays Minecraft or Roblox games on his computer. Later, the fifth-grader from Wisconsin might watch TV with his family. He spends up to four hours a day on screens at home.

This might not surprise you. Kids ages 8 to 12 average more than five hours of screen time outside of school each day. That’s according to a 2024 study by the University of California, San Francisco.

Many experts warn that excessive screen use is not good for kids. Spending too much time on devices can make it hard to focus and get enough sleep. It can even cause anxiety.

So how might your life change if you were to take a break from screens? To find out, Scholastic News asked Reginald and two other kids to go screen-free for seven days. They could use screens only for schoolwork in class and at home. Here’s what they learned.

Digital Decisions: Be Smart About Screen Time
Watch a video with tips for what you can do to cut down on your clicks.

A Difficult Start

The first two days of the challenge were the hardest for all three kids. Reginald reports that he was bored. 

“I was wandering around the house, trying to figure out something to do,” he says.

The challenge may have been most difficult for Alexia Gary. The sixth-grader from Indiana says she’s addicted to her phone. She often uses it for up to 10 hours a day. For Alexia, feeling disconnected from her friends was tough.

Reyhan Parmar Nasief, a fifth-grader from New Jersey, agrees. The biggest downside for him was being unable to answer all the texts that piled up.

Positive Changes 

“I felt more energized.” —Alexia Gary

But going screen-free also had positive effects. Without devices to distract them, all three kids spent more time with their families. Alexia baked brownies with her mom. Reyhan hung out with his uncle. 

The kids also got more exercise. Alexia went for walks with a friend. Reginald spent a lot of time playing basketball and riding his bike. That helped improve his mood. 

“When you get outside, you feel a little happier doing something other than being on screens,” he says. 

Another benefit? Staying away from screens helped improve everyone’s sleep. 

“I was going to sleep way earlier, since I wasn’t staying up on my phone,” Alexia says. 

Final Results

“Getting off your devices for a while is good for your mental health.” —Reginald Dumbleton

So did all three kids complete the challenge? Reginald stayed off all screens for the entire week. Reyhan used his phone only a few times to call his mom. Alexia didn’t go completely screen-free. But she’s proud to have cut her usual screen time in half.  

“I learned there’s a lot more to do than just being on your phone,” she says. 

The challenge also helped the kids pay more attention to the world around them. While walking his dog, Reyhan noticed a frog hopping in the grass. 

“I realized that if I don’t take breaks from my screens, I won’t notice the beautiful things in life,” he says. 

Now you know what it’s like to go screen-free for a few days. Would you want to take the challenge? 

Take a Tech Break

Even if you can’t go screen-free for a week, there are ways to cut down on the time you spend staring at screens. Here are some tips: 

 

  • SET SCREEN-FREE TIMES. You might start by putting your devices away during dinner and before school. 
  • WIND DOWN BEFORE BED. The light from screens affects the chemicals in your body in a way that can delay sleep. It’s best to stay off screens for at least an hour before you go to bed. 
  • STOP THE DISTRACTIONS. Turn off notifications on your device so you’re not tempted to respond to every buzz, ding, or ping.  
  • MONITOR YOUR TIME. Your phone’s settings can show you how many hours you’ve used the device. Challenge yourself to use it a bit less each day.
  1. How does the article support the idea that excessive screen use can be harmful for kids?
  2. Why do you think the article states that the challenge may have been most difficult for Alexia Gary?
  3. Which tip listed in the sidebar, “Take a Tech Break,” do you think would be most effective in helping you cut down on screen time? Explain.
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