We fall firmly in the former camp – and yet we also understand that it's unrealistic to suggest that teens never use screens at all. The more interesting question, perhaps, is what kind of online world we want them to inhabit. After all, the internet is not a single place. Somewhere between doomscrolling TikTok at midnight and abandoning screens altogether lies a more hopeful possibility: a better internet for teenagers that rewards curiosity and creation rather than consumption and comparison.
Language Learning Apps
The internet has made language learning more accessible than at any point in history. Whether mastering French vocabulary on the bus to school or practising conversational Spanish with speakers on the other side of the world, today's teenagers can immerse themselves in languages in a way previous generations could but dream of. Unlike many social platforms, language apps reward persistence, progress and long-term thinking. No bad thing for fast developing brains.
Try: Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu or Lingualift.
Creative Writing
Calling all young writers! There has never been a more supportive moment to put pen to paper – online writing communities are thriving, allowing aspiring novelists, poets and storytellers to share work, receive feedback and discover readers from around the world. For teenagers who may not feel at home on sports pitches, these communities can provide connection through shared creative interests. Keep at it and who knows? Many a successful author began by writing fan fiction, keeping blogs or posting stories online. Just saying.
Try: Wattpad, National Centre for Writing Young Writers' Programme, or creative writing courses on BBC Maestro.
Music Production Tools
The barriers to music creation have all but been smashed through. Affordable software allows teenagers to record songs, compose soundtracks and experiment with production techniques from their bedrooms. For every teenager passively consuming content online, there is another teaching themselves piano through video tutorials, producing electronic music or collaborating with friends on recordings. Used the right way, technology can, be an extraordinarily creative tool.
Try: GarageBand, BandLab or Soundtrap.
Coding Platforms
Many of the world's most successful entrepreneurs discovered coding as teenagers. Learning to build websites, design games or write software teaches problem-solving, resilience and creativity – a pretty powerful triumvirate, we think you'll agree. Perhaps more importantly, it transforms young people from consumers of technology into creators of it.
Try: Scratch, Codecademy or Raspberry Pi Projects.
Online Chess
Online chess has become one of the internet's great success stories.
Millions of players now compete and improve through platforms that reward concentration, patience and critical thinking. Similar benefits can be found in strategy games, puzzle communities and other spaces built around skill development.
Try: Chess.com or Lichess.
Citizen Science Projects
What if screen time could help teenagers contribute to scientific research? Citizen science projects allow young people to record wildlife sightings, track bird migrations, classify galaxies or monitor local biodiversity, often alongside professional researchers. The perfect way to spark a lifelong interest in science and conservation.
Try: iNaturalist, Zooniverse or the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch.
Digital Art And Design Platforms
For creative teenagers, digital tools can provide a gateway into illustration, animation, graphic design and photography. Rather than simply consuming content, they are learning how to create it. Increasingly, these are the skills that underpin careers in everything from publishing and advertising to gaming and film.
Try: Canva, Procreate, Adobe Express or Sketchbook.
Educational YouTube
Not all YouTube is created equal. Channels such as Kurzgesagt, Crash Course, History Hit, and TED-Ed can be transformative for curious teenage minds. Given that YouTube is likely to be caught up in the proposed ban, it's worth acknowledging that though much of it is unequivocal brain-rot, some parts of the platform are enormously valuable.
FAQs: A Better Internet For Teenagers
Will banning social media actually improve teenagers' wellbeing?
Many parents and experts believe reducing access to social media could help alleviate issues such as anxiety, cyberbullying and unhealthy comparison. However, most agree that what replaces social media matters just as much as what is removed.
Are all online platforms harmful for teenagers?
Not at all. The internet contains an enormous range of educational, creative and community-based spaces. Many platforms encourage learning, creativity, collaboration and skill-building rather than passive scrolling.
What are the best alternatives to social media for teenagers?
Language-learning apps, coding platforms, creative writing communities, music production software, chess sites, citizen science projects and digital art tools all offer engaging ways to spend time online while developing valuable skills.
Can online hobbies really lead to future careers?
Absolutely. Many writers, musicians, designers, programmers and entrepreneurs first discovered their interests through online communities and digital tools during their teenage years.
Is YouTube always a bad influence?
No. While some content can be problematic, educational channels covering history, science, literature, current affairs and technology can be extraordinarily informative. As with most online spaces, quality varies considerably.
How can parents encourage healthier screen habits?
Focus less on screen time alone and more on screen quality. Encouraging activities that involve creating, learning or collaborating is often more productive than simply counting hours spent online.
What if my teenager isn't interested in educational apps?
The goal is not to turn every online activity into homework. Chess, digital art, music production, creative writing and citizen science projects can all be enjoyable while still offering meaningful benefits.
Are online communities ever positive for teenagers?
Yes. For teenagers with niche interests, online communities can provide friendship, encouragement and a sense of belonging that may be difficult to find locally.
How much screen time is too much?
There is no universal answer. Experts increasingly focus on the content being consumed, the impact on sleep, exercise and mental health, and whether online activity is enriching or simply filling time.
What does a 'better internet' for teenagers actually look like?
One that rewards curiosity over comparison, creativity over consumption and participation over passive scrolling. The most valuable digital spaces help young people learn, make, build, create and connect around shared interests rather than simply chase attention.
