Schoen Clinic UK news & blog

“Just five more minutes!” — sound familiar? If your child reacts with frustration or tears when you ask them to put their phone down, you’re not alone. According to Ofcom’s 2024 Online Nation report, nine in ten UK children aged 8–15 own a smartphone, and nearly half of parents say it causes tension at home [1]. Phones can connect, educate and entertain — but when scrolling starts to replace sleep, play or family time, it may signal problematic smartphone use (PSU). At Schoen

You sit down to study. Five minutes later, you’re on TikTok. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Research shows today’s students are constantly interrupted by notifications and social media. In one study, the average teen picked up their phone 51 times a day and received over 230 notifications [1]. Smartphones can help you learn, stay connected, and relax, but they can also hijack your focus. If you’ve ever lost hours scrolling before an exam or felt anxious when you c

Are you constantly checking your phone — even when there’s no reason to? If it feels like you’re spending more time online than ever, you’re not imagining it. According to Ofcom’s Online Nation 2024 report, UK adults now spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes online every day — and for young adults aged 18–24, that rises to over 6 hours daily. Women spend more time online than men across every age group, with Gen Z women averaging more than six and a half hours a day com