Vodafone’s ‘18 Before 18’ list to inspire screen-free adventures
A major new study of over 4,000 young people across Europe reveals a generation that’s digitally aware, motivated to cut back on screen time, and seeking more offline activities.
Commissioned by Vodafone Group, the 2025 Gen Z and Alpha Smartphone Study took place across eight European countries, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Romania and the Czech Republic. Findings reveal:
- 73% of young people aged 11-17 want to reduce their screen time – rising to 93% among 16–17-year-olds.
- 76% say having more real-life things to do would help them use phones more healthily
- 92% want tools that help them go offline and discover local activities
- 78% say real-life moments with friends and family bring them more happiness than online content
Despite their digital upbringing, today’s teens are calling for a better balance. Yet many are missing out on the character-shaping experiences their parents grew up with.
To help teens rediscover the magic of summer beyond screens, Vodafone is launching ‘18 Before 18’ – a list of nostalgic, joy-filled offline activities every young person should try before adulthood. From wild swimming to foraging and flying a kite, the campaign is designed to inspire screen-free adventures across Europe.
The list was co-created by the Vodafone Youth Council – a pan-European board of 11 to 17-year-olds helping shape healthier tech habits for their generation and brought to life through a supporting survey of more than 7,000 European teenagers and parents by Censuswide.
Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Group Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer said: “Teens are telling us they don’t want to be glued to their phones – they just need more real-life alternatives. We believe it’s our responsibility to go beyond connectivity and support digital wellbeing in tangible ways.”
The survey reveals a strong generational gap between children today and millennials (29-44) and Generation X (45-60). Activities were inspired by experiences many European teenagers say they have missed out on, along with the most cherished summer memories of European parents.
- 90% of European parents worry children today are missing out on experiences that helped shape their own character
- Top childhood memories of European parents include knocking on a friend’s door to ask them to play (49%), spending whole days offline (46%) and playing board games or cards with friends and family (45%)
The full ‘18 Before 18’ list
- Knock on a friend’s door and ask them if they can hang out
- Spend a whole day offline
- Play a board game or cards with friends and family
- Ride a bike for hours with no set destination
- Build a camp outdoors
- Visit grandparents, listen to their stories
- Visit the seaside
- Forage for berries
- Climb a tree
- Try wild swimming
- Make a scrapbook or photo album
- Go fishing
- Sleep under the stars
- Write a diary
- Cook over a campfire
- Send someone you care about a letter, or a postcard
- Fly a kite
- Watch the sunrise
More stories
No results found