Life Off Screens

By Vasilisa K., Annalie A., Rosalie A., Grade 9

In a world full of technology and screens, teenagers still manage to spend their free time on hobbies, friendships, and everyday experiences.

Technology and social media have become a big part of our lives and society. And the ones that are most affected are teenagers. According to the World Health Organization, more than a third of adolescents play digital games daily, and 22% of them have a screentime of at least 4 hours a day. Technology affects teenagers’ behavior and well-being, exposes teenagers to inappropriate content, and can lead to addiction and lack of sleep. Even with a lot of time spent on screens, teenagers still manage to entertain themselves with “Off screen” hobbies, such as sports, musical instruments and much more. Buchhof Bulletin has asked MIS Senior School students how they spend their free time off screens.

One of the most popular activities are sports. Whether it’s Ice Skating, Skiing or Biking, almost all of the students play at least one sport they enjoy.  Even though sports require a lot of endurance, strength, and resilience, there are still many benefits of engaging in physical activity. For example, sports tend to improve your physical health and strengthen your immune system. The study of ‘athlete assessments’ shows that the students who regularly engage in physical activity are three times more likely to graduate school than those who don’t and are 92% less likely to get involved with drugs. Sports also teach teamwork and problem-solving skills. Team sports such as Football, Basketball and Volleyball require people to communicate and work with each other, therefore strengthening their teamwork and critical thinking. 

Another popular activity that MIS teenagers enjoy is playing musical instruments.  Some people play classical instruments, such as the piano or the cello, while others go for a more thunderous vibe and play the drums. Musical instruments seem easy to play; however, you require a lot of practice and determination to master it. Studies have shown that listening to music can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance mood, and even help with mental health issues. According to`Stamford School’, playing musical instruments increases the capacity of your memory, enhances your coordination, and teaches you perseverance.

But it’s not only instruments that teens play to show off their creativity. Some also enjoy a more private and relaxing environment, so they spend their free time designing original characters, writing books, crafting, or drawing. These mindful activities could be a nice way to cool down after hard days, stressful assessments, or could act as a great excuse to spend time by yourself. It lets people enjoy being in the moment and create unique pieces of art, that in some way they will be proud of. 

Of course, there are many other fun activities that teens enjoy doing in their free time, for example cooking, gardening, shopping, hanging out with friends, and many more. These ‘off screen’ activities improve teenagers mental health, help them build communication skills and create unforgettable memories. 2026 is a year shaped by the use of social media, however that does not stop teenagers from enjoying their live off screens.