Unplug and Reconnect

Brits turn to traditional hobbies as screen time takes mental toll, new study reveals

Date: 12th September 2025 | Hornby Hobbies UK

A new national study has found that more than half of UK adults (51%) say excessive screen time is harming their wellbeing – with growing numbers choosing to switch off and reconnect with more traditional, hands-on hobbies that offer a sense of calm, focus and creativity.

Commissioned by Hornby Hobbies, the research reveals rising concern about digital overload. While many rely on devices for work, socialising and news, the majority of people believe they’re spending too much time online – and nearly half say it’s affecting their mood, sleep and stress levels.

Among those trying to cut down, it’s not about abandoning digital life – but finding healthier ways to unwind. The study points to a growing interest in more traditional hobbies such as model building, crafting and collecting, particularly among younger adults and parents seeking screen-free time.

A cultural shift away from scrolling:

51% of UK adults say they spend too much time on their devices
66% believe screen time is harmful for adults
69% agree people need to cut down their screen use
81% believe screen time is bad for children, and 75% of parents actively try to limit it
48% have made a conscious effort to reduce their own screen time

People who say they spend too much time on devices report:

16% lower life satisfaction
20% lower happiness
Twice the level of anxiety (61% vs 30%)

When you immerse yourself in a physical, creative activity like model making, it brings you into the present moment,” said health and wellbeing expert, Dr Radha Modgil. “That sense of focus and achievement can be incredibly calming, especially in contrast to the pace and pressure of digital life. Hobbies are more than a pastime - they’re a mental reset.

Real-world activities are on the rise

The study also found that more traditional hobbies like miniature model making are enjoying a resurgence, with 1 in 5 UK adults (22%) already taking part – and many more expressing interest in getting started. Among those who say they spend too much time on their devices, 56% are looking to try a new hobby in the next 12 months, especially one that offers a creative outlet and a break from screens.

This shift is particularly pronounced among younger adults. 62% of 16–34-year-olds say they want a hobby that’s completely separate from digital devices, suggesting a strong appetite for more tactile, offline experiences.

Yet this age group is also finding it the hardest to break away from digital habits. While 64% of 16–34-year-olds say they spend too much time on their devices – significantly above the national average – they also spend more time online than any other group, clocking up an average of nearly five hours a day on their phones and three on laptops. Many recognise the need for change, but the shift isn’t easy: 70% of students admit to regularly doomscrolling, and 68% of 16–34s say they’ve tried to cut back on-screen time but struggle to make it stick. That’s where more traditional, hands-on hobbies can offer a valuable lifeline - helping this group carve out focused, screen-free time and experience the sense of achievement they’re missing from passive digital habits.

Miniature model making in particular is seen as a valuable way to unwind:

45% of respondents say it would help them relax and relieve stress
44% believe it would support their mental health
55% agree it would help them spend less time on their devices

“There’s a growing recognition that people need something real and rewarding to counterbalance digital life,” said Olly Raeburn, CEO of Hornby Hobbies. “Model making and traditional hobbies give people a chance to pause, switch off and create something meaningful. We’ve always known the joy and focus these hobbies bring—now we’re seeing just how vital they are for people’s wellbeing too.”

Hornby Hobbies – home to much-loved brands including Airfix, Scalextric Hornby and CORGI – has seen increased interest across all age groups, with many rediscovering childhood pastimes or exploring them for the first time.