Time is precious: the key message that connects with older kids
[.style-intro]Talking to teens about screen time can feel impossible – but Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, has found what really works: talk about time. When young people realise their attention is being sold for profit, they start to push back. This empowering, honest approach helps teens rethink their habits – and reclaim their most precious resource: their time.[.style-intro]
Flip the narrative
We all know it’s hard to talk to teens about screen time. Mental health stats are worrying. Research shows the link between screentime and wellbeing is real. But when it comes to actually helping young people change their habits, scare tactics fall flat.
So what works? According to Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, the key is simple: talk about time.
"I don’t get through to teens by talking about mental health stats," he says. "But when I help them realise their time is being stolen – that they’re handing over hours of their life to someone else’s business model – that’s when it lands."
The value of time
Ambrosi, who speaks regularly in schools, says teens aren’t blind to what’s happening. Many are frustrated by how much time they spend on their phones – not because they feel guilty, but because they know they could be doing something more fulfilling.
He encourages teens to think of time as their most valuable resource. Social media might be "free", but the price is steep: hours of their day, traded for distraction, dopamine hits, and someone else’s profit.
When young people realise just how much tech companies depend on their attention, many feel a natural resistance. As Ambrosi puts it: "Nobody wants to feel manipulated."
A University of Birmingham study found that the average UK 12-15 year old spends 35 hours a week on their smartphone. That’s pretty much a full-time job.
Ambrosi’s key message? Time is your most valuable resource. It’s the one thing you can’t get back. When young people understand that tech companies are profiting from their attention – every swipe, every scroll, every second – they’re more likely to reflect and take action.
And when they realise that their time is being sold to advertisers without their knowledge, something clicks. The narrative flips: from ‘you should get off your phone’ to ‘don’t let them take your time for free.’
A more empowering approach
The goal isn’t to guilt or shame teenagers. It’s to help them see their own power – and their own agency. When they understand the business model behind the platforms they’re using, they’re more motivated to set boundaries.
They’re also more likely to have meaningful conversations. Ambrosi has found that young people are increasingly ready to talk about this – they just need someone to meet them with honesty, empathy and clarity.
Simple strategies that work
Ambrosi also shares practical tips to help older kids take back control of their time:
- Use a screentime blocker. Apps like Opal can set limits, block apps and add breathing space before you open TikTok or YouTube
- Don’t sleep next to your phone. Charging it in another room and using a physical alarm clock makes it easier to avoid doomscrolling late at night or first thing in the morning.
- Keep social media on one device only. Separating work, study and entertainment helps make boundaries clearer – and easier to stick to.
Hope on the horizon
The good news? Teens are waking up. “I’m really optimistic,” says Ambrosi. “From the talks I’ve given, kids want to be involved in this conversation. They’re creating smartphone-free spaces in schools and on college campuses by their own accord.”
It’s not always easy to raise this issue – especially if you’re met with resistance. But with the right approach, and the right message, teens are more open than we think. And helping them see their time as valuable – not just to tech companies, but to themselves – might be the most powerful step we can take.
