Kids Are More Bored Than Ever—This May Be the Reason Why

“I’m bored.”

It’s the nails-on-a-chalkboard, at-home answer to the “Are we there yet?” asked—repeatedly—on road trips. However, new data suggests parents may want to get noise-cancelling earphones. Jokes aside, the data indicates kids are experiencing high rates of boredom across age groups.

In one survey of 2,000 parents with kids ages 3 to 12 conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Elmer’s, participants reported that it took 33 minutes for their kids to get bored.

Teens aren’t immune to the boredom bug either. A YahooLife analysis of the University of Michigan’s annual Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students indicated that boredom rates ticked up during the pandemic lockdowns and increased again in 2023.

Experts point to screen time use as one reason for boredom increases.

“We do live in a technological age,” says Jillian Amodio, LMSW, a licensed social worker at Waypoint Wellness Center in Maryland. “So while it might be tempting to say ‘kids don’t play like they used to,’ it’s really not that simple. Kids don’t play like they used to because kids today don’t live in the same world that generations in the past have grown up.”

But what does all of that mean? What can parents, who are often anything but bored trying to juggle household tasks, working outside of the home (sometimes from home), and childcare with little support and struggling mentally, do?

It’s a lot to take in, but mental health experts shared their thoughts on what’s driving the rising rates of boredom, actionable steps, and the importance of giving yourself grace.

Boredom in Children and Tweens

The Elmer’s survey found that 81% of the 2,000 parents reported their children ages 3 to 12 were “always looking for something to do” when they returned home from school or daycare. However, the age range for kids was large, so it might be helpful to look at what a “normal” attention span is. Experts had slight variations in their definition of “normal” by age but were, across the board, within one to three minutes per age range.

“Minimally, it is twice their age in minutes; three times their age maximum,” says Leslie Taylor, PhD, a child psychologist with UTHealth Houston.

So, in a child who isn’t neurodivergent, that breaks down to a “normal” attention span of around:

• Ages 3 to 4: Six to eight minutes
• Ages 5 to 8: 12 to 24 minutes (“They learn best through physical activities,” Dr. Taylor says. “They are more interested in doing activities than completing them and may have a lot of spontaneous questions during the activity, so being flexible is key.”
• Ages 9 to 11: 20 to 30 minutes (After that, they need to refocus unless the activity is highly engaging, and they usually are motivated to try new things and set goals,” Dr. Taylor says.
• Age 12: 20 to 40 minutes (“They usually learn best from experiences that include self-discovery, more complex and abstract thinking,” Dr. Taylor says.)

In short, it’s normal—albeit inconvenient—for a 3-year-old to have an attention span of less than 33 minutes.

“I feel [the survey] suggests that what is perceived as boredom may often be a natural reflection of age-appropriate attention spans,” says Zishan Khan, MD, a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with Mindpath Health.

So, is it really boredom? That answer is complicated and, to an extent, reflects the modern era.

“Parents must spend a lot more time with their children at home,” says Alejandra Galindo, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Thriveworks in Houston. “The reality is that parents rarely have the time, support, finances, or mental capacity to reinforce the messages and lessons through other activities as consistently as they might be needed.”

Galindo says this includes co-viewing screen time and reinforcing messages packed into a fast-paced, 20-minute show. Instead, parents may lean on screens to distract a child while they juggle multiple other hats with little support. Per the Elmer’s survey, 80% of parents said their kids were more likely to watch TV outside of classroom and childcare settings. About two-thirds reported that children were more inclined to play with toys (67%) or siblings and friends (62%). Ironically and unfortunately, using screens as a crutch—however necessary—may be fueling higher boredom rates.

“While this is understandable, especially for busy parents, reliance on screens can create a cycle where children become accustomed to constant stimulation, potentially diminishing their ability to engage in self-directed, imaginative play,” Dr. Khan says. “This reliance may inadvertently contribute to shorter attention spans and increased feelings of boredom when not engaged with screens.”

Combating boredom in kids and tweens

To curb boredom rates, Dr. Khan suggests:

• Encourage hands-on activities: Think arts and crafts, building, and sensory play. Dr. Khan says these activities can hold an attention span longer than passive activities (like screens). “What can help is for the parent to set up a dedicated space with accessible materials like crayons, paper, clay, or building blocks,” Dr. Khan says. “Encourage your child to initiate projects and explore their creativity.”
• Establish routines. Try designating specific times for certain activities like reading, imaginative play, and outdoor fun. “Consistent schedules provide structure, helping children know what to expect and reducing restlessness,” Dr. Khan says.”It’s important to realize that consistency helps children transition between activities more smoothly.”
• Promote independent play. While engaging with children is important, no parent has the time to do it all the time, and that’s more than OK. “Allowing children to play independently encourages them to develop their imagination and problem-solving skills,” Dr. Khan says. “Parents should create a safe environment where their child can explore toys and activities on their own. Start with short periods and gradually increase them as they become more comfortable.”

Boredom in Teens

Boredom rates increasing predate the COVID-19 lockdown. One 2019 study found that U.S. teens were saying they were bored more frequently in 2010, and rates continued to climb by 1.17% until 2017. Then, the pandemic forced schools to switch to remote learning, the cancellation of activities, and an inability to hang out with friends and loved ones—we likely don’t need to remind you. 

Unsurprisingly, YahooLife found that the number of teens who either agreed or mostly agreed with the statement “I am often bored” hit a high in 2021, with more than 21% of 8th graders and 45% of 12th graders reporting boredom. Those rates are 13.2% higher in 8th and 10th graders and 37% higher in 12th graders than in 2014.

After trending downward in 2022, boredom rates again ticked up in 2023. Experts again point to screens as one of but not the sole factor. 

“Constant digital engagement can lead to overstimulation, making offline activities seem less appealing and contributing to these feelings of boredom,” Dr. Khan says. “However, it’s also important to note that teens these days often have less freedom to explore their environments independently, relative to how we grew up, and this can lead to feelings of confinement and boredom.”

Similarly, Galindo adds that a lack of control may be in play.

“When teens feel like they don’t have a say or at least an option or challenge, they will often become disengaged,” Galindo says. “For example, if you ask your teen to make ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner, they will likely avoid or grunt about having to do it.”

Combating boredom in teens

Parents can work with their teens to lower boredom reports.

• Identify and validate. “Helping this age group identify healthy outlets for addressing boredom is important,” Dr. Taylor says. “It is normal for teens to seek out new and exciting experiences. Parents can validate their teen’s experience of boredom and try to direct them toward activities that are challenging and meaningful activities.”
• Set screentime limits. This one can be challenging, but Dr. Khan says collaboration can help (and promote agency). “This will help them…feel less as though they are being forced to limit their time by their family,” Dr. Khan says. 
• Provide freedom and independence. Galindo says one way to empower teens and give them more agency is to provide them with choices, such as making a sandwich with ingredients they want to consume or teaching them to cook.

When Is Boredom a Cause for Concern?

Boredom isn’t necessarily convenient, but experts share it’s generally a good thing in moderation.

“Boredom itself isn’t inherently bad, and it can serve as a catalyst for creativity, self-reflection, and problem-solving,” Dr. Khan says. “However, chronic boredom without constructive outlets may lead to negative behaviors or mental health concerns. I often see children act out much more when they are feeling bored or seeking stimulation.”

Also, sometimes, boredom and attention span issues could be a sign of ADHD, and parents and children need support.

“While occasional boredom and attention lapses are normal, persistent difficulties in maintaining attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity may indicate ADHD,” Dr. Khan says. “If such behaviors are consistent and impact daily functioning, including school, consulting a psychiatrist is advisable.”

Finally, intensive parenting and the pressure to keep your child constantly engaged—curating every moment of their outside-of-school/childcare life—were driving factors in former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s advisory on parental stress and mental health in 2024.

“I don’t ever expect parents to be perfect,” Galindo says. “We will all make mistakes and give in to the screen time trap, but this does not automatically mean your child will be permanently bored or ‘damaged.’”

Galindo says it’s OK to use screens sometimes to relax but that finding other ways to help children self-regulate is important. Role modeling is one way. 

“I encourage parents to practice self-regulation with their kids from time to time,” Galindo says. “When things are stressing us out, or we feel overwhelmed, it’s perfectly OK to practice some deep breathing, stretches, or other tools that involve the senses to help us reset, like smelling things around us or using music to soothe us.”