Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember those long afternoons with nothing to do? The moments when time stretched endlessly, and you had to find your own way to fill it? Maybe you built forts out of blankets, created entire imaginary worlds, or sat and let your mind wander to places you never expected.

Now think about today’s young people. How often do they get the chance to just be bored?

Between school, extracurricular activities, social media, streaming platforms, and gaming, boredom has become almost extinct. Any moment of stillness is quickly filled with a scroll, a video, a notification, or a planned activity. And while technology and structured activities have their place, something important is being lost—the space for imagination, creativity, and self-discovery.

Boredom Isn’t a Problem—It’s an Opportunity

We’ve been conditioned to see boredom as a problem to be solved. As parents, caregivers, and educators, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly keeping kids busy, thinking that if they’re always engaged in something “productive,” they’re better off.

But the truth is, boredom is where growth happens.

When young people are left with nothing to do, their minds start to wander. And that wandering? That’s where imagination comes in.

Research backs this up. A study published in the journal Academy of Management Discoveries found that boredom can actually increase creativity by allowing the brain the downtime it needs to form new ideas and connections. When we stop filling every moment with external stimulation, our minds naturally start looking for ways to entertain themselves, solve problems, and explore possibilities.

The Link Between Boredom and Innovation

Some of the world’s greatest ideas, inventions, and creative breakthroughs came from moments of stillness and boredom.

• Albert Einstein often credited his theory of relativity to the time he spent daydreaming as a child.
• Steve Jobs spoke about the importance of leaving room for reflection and boredom in order to be truly creative.
• J.K. Rowling came up with the idea for Harry Potter while staring out of a train window with nothing to do.

Boredom forces the brain to work in new ways, unlocking the kind of deep thinking, problem-solving, and innovation that structured tasks and constant stimulation don’t allow for.

How Technology Has Eliminated Boredom

Today’s young people have never known a world without instant entertainment. If they feel even a flicker of boredom, a screen is within reach to fill the silence and occupy their mind.

• Waiting in line? Scroll on TikTok.
• Long car ride? Watch YouTube.
• Five minutes between activities? Check notifications.

The problem? Constant entertainment means no time for reflection, imagination, or personal discovery.

When young people always have external input guiding their thoughts, they miss out on the internal work that happens in stillness. They don’t get the chance to:

✅ Come up with their own ideas.
✅ Process their emotions.
✅ Find creative ways to entertain themselves.
✅ Discover their personal interests and passions.

Instead, their brains become wired to seek constant stimulation, making it harder to focus, self-motivate, or enjoy quiet moments.

Giving Boredom Back to Our Young People

So how do we bring boredom back into young people’s lives in a world designed to keep them constantly engaged?

1. Set Boundaries Around Technology

Encourage tech-free moments in everyday life. This could be screen-free meals, car rides without devices, or designated digital detox times. Let them experience waiting, silence, and stillness.

2. Let Them Sit in Boredom

2. Let Them Sit in Boredom

When a teen or child complains, “I’m bored,” don’t rush to fill the space. Resist the urge to suggest an activity, hand them a device, or sign them up for another program. Instead, let them figure it out. The discomfort of boredom is what sparks creativity and self-direction.

3. Encourage Unstructured Play and Exploration

Not everything needs a lesson plan, a goal, or an outcome. Free time is where kids learn about themselves, test their creativity, and develop problem-solving skills. Encourage activities like:

• Doodling or journaling with no direction.
• Building something from scraps around the house.
• Sitting outside and letting their mind wander.
• Telling stories, inventing games, or just daydreaming.

4. Model It Yourself

Young people watch how we use our time. If we always turn to our phones in moments of quiet, they will too. Try showing them that stillness is valuable—take walks without headphones, let yourself sit without distractions, and talk about the ideas that come to you when you allow yourself to be bored.

Final Thoughts: Making Room for Growth

In our rush to keep kids busy and entertained, we’ve taken away one of the most powerful tools for growth—boredom.

Boredom is where imagination thrives, where creativity is sparked, and where new ideas take shape. It’s where young people learn to sit with their own thoughts, explore new ideas, and discover what truly excites them.

So let’s give them space. Let’s give them silence. Let’s give them back the gift of boredom. Because in that boredom, they will find the ideas, the creativity, and the confidence to shape their own futures.

What do you think? Have you seen the impact of boredom (or lack of it) on young people today? I’d love to hear your thoughts!