Digital break
15–60 min / recurring routine
Easy
A place to put phones during the break (e.g., a box). Optional alternative content such as games or creative activities.
1–30
How to do it
-
Decide on the start and routine. Decide in the work group when a digital break should be held and make it a clear part of the weekly program.
-
Inform the young people. Tell them about the new routine and discuss its purpose and benefits.
-
Set common rules. Agree with the young people on when and how often the break will be held and how long it will last. For example, once a week at a set time or during a specific program. Feel free to give the break a common name. When young people are allowed to participate in decisions, they become more engaged.
-
Make the digital break visible. Put up information about the break on site or on a notice board.
-
Offer alternative activities: games, exercise equipment, music, or other activities that support interaction, movement, and presence. Quiet socializing or relaxation also works well.
-
Be a role model. The leaders’ own participation and putting away their phones is crucial to the atmosphere during the break.
-
Evaluate and reflect. Ask the young people about their experience: How did it feel to be without your phone for a while? How can the break be made even better?
Digital breaks teach young people to manage screen time. They help them to wind down and disconnect from constant stimulation. When young people are allowed to help decide the rules for the break, it strengthens participation and community. A digital break taken together promotes camaraderie and increases presence. Face-to-face meetings develop social skills, and breaks from digital devices increase the feeling of control and improve concentration.