0:00:02 > 0:00:03Technology is awesome.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05We can use it to create virtual worlds,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08send tweets from outer space,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10and experts can even predict earthquakes
0:00:10 > 0:00:13using everyday smartphones.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Now, imagine a world where you can use technology whenever you want.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19You get to make your own rules.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Or imagine if all your gadgets were taken away.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Well, in this Newsround special,
0:00:24 > 0:00:27we'll be finding out how important technology is to us,
0:00:27 > 0:00:30how much time we're spending on our gadgets
0:00:30 > 0:00:33and what would happen if we weren't allowed to use them any more.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36We'll also be hearing from the legendary gamer Stampy
0:00:36 > 0:00:40about how he manages his tech time.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It's time to find out if tech is taking over.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49All my life, I've either had a TV or a tablet by my side.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51If I couldn't use tech any more,
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I'd feel like I'd just sit in the corner and cry
0:00:53 > 0:00:56and I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00If I was not allowed to use tech any more, I'll be lifeless.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I'm addicted.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07'I've come to this school in Wolverhampton to find out
0:01:07 > 0:01:11'how much time you spend using technology every day
0:01:11 > 0:01:14'outside of school.' Quick, quick, quick!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17'Each corner of this playground has a time attached to it.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20'This lot are going to run to the corner which they think
0:01:20 > 0:01:23'has the amount of time they spend looking at screens every day.'
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Let's go! KIDS SHOUT
0:01:29 > 0:01:32'Over 70% of these Year 7 pupils
0:01:32 > 0:01:36'spend over four hours a day using their tech.'
0:01:36 > 0:01:39These guys love using all their different gadgets,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42so what would happen if we took that tech away from that?
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Well, there's only one way to find out.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49'We're going to set this class a challenge
0:01:49 > 0:01:52'to see how much technology and the use of gadgets,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55'like phones, tablets, computers and TVs,
0:01:55 > 0:01:57'are taking over their lives.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00'And they have no idea what's about to happen.'
0:02:00 > 0:02:04We're going to split this class into three different groups today.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Now, the first group is going to be able to use technology
0:02:08 > 0:02:12whenever you want over the next three days.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13'The guys in this group
0:02:13 > 0:02:16'will be able to use their gadgets whenever they want.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20'Will this be a dream come true, or too much tech?'
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The second group will only be allowed to use technology
0:02:24 > 0:02:27for two hours a day over the next three days.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28Two hours.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31'In America, the government recommends
0:02:31 > 0:02:34'that kids spend no longer than two hours a day looking at screens.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37'So we're going to see how some of this class get on
0:02:37 > 0:02:40'living by these rules for three days.'
0:02:40 > 0:02:43The final group won't be able to use any technology whatsoever...
0:02:43 > 0:02:45KIDS TALK OVER EACH OTHER
0:02:45 > 0:02:47..for the next three days.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51'Yep, you heard it. The kids in this group are going to experience
0:02:51 > 0:02:55'how tough it is to go tech-free for three whole days.'
0:02:55 > 0:02:56No phones.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58No tablets.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00No TV.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02No!
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Why you do this? - It's only three days.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Three days is like a year.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09OK, let's start.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10First one's up now.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13It's...
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- ALL:- Shakiah!
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Shakiah, how would you feel if you couldn't use any tech whatsoever?
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- It'd be boring. - Do you think you could cope?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- Do you think you could do it?- No. - You don't think you could do it?
0:03:25 > 0:03:27All right, let's find out what group you're in.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31KIDS SHOUT
0:03:34 > 0:03:37So, for three days, what do you think you'll do instead?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I don't know. Probably just hide in my room.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Hide in your room?
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Think about the positives. Maybe you could go out and play.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45- No.- No?- It's the worst news ever,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48because every day when I get back from school,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50I'm always on my gadgets.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53So now, I'm just going to be bored.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56'Shakiah is one unhappy lady,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58'and she's not the only one who faces a tech ban
0:03:58 > 0:04:00'for the next three days.'
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- No tech.- I'll probably be just sitting in my room,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07because anywhere else, there'd be like either a TV on or a phone.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11'The thought of no tech for three days is unbearable for this bunch.'
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Here we go...
0:04:14 > 0:04:17'And those restricted to just two hours a day on their devices...
0:04:17 > 0:04:19GROANS
0:04:19 > 0:04:21'..aren't taking the news any better.'
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- That'll go in seconds. - Two hours is like, nothing.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26I'm going to miss out on, like, group chats.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28I'll just feel left out a lot.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31'The kids facing a restriction on their tech usage
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'may be dreading the next three days...'
0:04:34 > 0:04:35Harley.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37'..but for some...'
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Unlimited tech!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41'..it's time to celebrate.'
0:04:41 > 0:04:42How do you feel, Harley?
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Ecstatic!
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Alex. You can use tech whenever you want.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I'm feeling happy.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Cos I get to do what I always do, is just sit down and play my gadgets.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I think I'm quite addicted to technology,
0:04:59 > 0:05:01because it's been around for my entire life.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03It entertains me and keeps me happy.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06'It's day one of the Tech Challenge,
0:05:06 > 0:05:11'and Alex has wasted no time in getting stuck in with his gadgets.'
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I've been playing my tech since I woke up.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15So, about five hours.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21'Alex is loving having no restrictions on his tech use,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22'but for 12-year-old Cerys,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26'who is limited to spending only two hours on her favourite devices,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28'this is going to be really tough.'
0:05:28 > 0:05:33I reckon I use tech around eight hours a day.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35So, two hours is just going to be like nothing.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41'It's 11.30 on the first day of the Tech Challenge,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45'and so far, Cerys has avoided using any of her gadgets.'
0:05:45 > 0:05:47It's been very difficult.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49All I've been doing is reading books,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52sitting in the living room, being bored.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55'After a tech-less morning, Cerys finally gives in
0:05:55 > 0:05:59'and gets stuck into some online videos with the help of Dad.'
0:05:59 > 0:06:02She goes to bed, she has to have her gadgets.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04As soon as she wakes up in the morning,
0:06:04 > 0:06:05she has to have her gadgets.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09She tends to throw a little bit of a wobbler if she hasn't got them.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12This is very, very true.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Yeah.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17'Cerys cracks on with her Stampy video,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21'and it's not long until she's used up half of her daily screen time.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24'And it's not even lunchtime yet!'
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I feel sad, cos I haven't really got much time left.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32It's making me think, like, I use a lot of tech.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Definitely makes me think I'm addicted.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37It's not just us in the UK
0:06:37 > 0:06:40who can feel like tech is taking over our lives.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44In China, there are around 24 million children
0:06:44 > 0:06:46who are addicted to their tech.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50That's roughly the same number of people who live in Australia.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53'The authorities in China say that a person is addicted
0:06:53 > 0:06:57'when they use tech for six hours a day for three straight months.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00'And they've even set up military-style boot camps
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'to try and help kids get over their tech addictions.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07'If you feel that you might be spending too much time
0:07:07 > 0:07:08'in front of a screen,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11'then the legendary Stampy has some advice.'
0:07:11 > 0:07:13Try and keep checking what time it is,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and just kind of be aware of how long you've been looking at a screen
0:07:16 > 0:07:19doing whatever you're doing, and I think that way,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22you're more likely to kind of force yourself to have a break.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25MUFFLED SCREAM
0:07:25 > 0:07:27'It's day one of the Tech Challenge for Shakiah,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31'and the only gadget she's got her hands on today is...
0:07:31 > 0:07:33'a vacuum cleaner.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35'Shakiah is in the No Tech group,
0:07:35 > 0:07:40'meaning she's banned from using all her devices for three whole days.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'Which is quite a bit different to what she's used to.'
0:07:43 > 0:07:49I spend at least seven to eight hours on my tech.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51And I'm going to feel quite bored and upset,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55because now I'm going to have nothing to do.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59In that room, they're playing games.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03And I feel very sad, because I can't join in.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08It's going to be really difficult for her.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We'll try and join in the challenge,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14but this house is kind of nonstop with technology.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16So, it will be really difficult.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20'Shakiah's only half a day into the Tech Challenge
0:08:20 > 0:08:23'and she's already finding it really tough.'
0:08:23 > 0:08:29I would rather be in there, playing games than changing my bed.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33'It's day two of the challenge,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37'and Cerys is off to work with her dad to help keep her mind off
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'being restricted to just two hours of tech.'
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Today, I'm at my dad's paintball site,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44and I'm here because I'm, like, helping around
0:08:44 > 0:08:46and, like, clearing all the stuff.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51When she's down here, she's got to be prepared to do a bit of graft.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56'But despite keeping herself busy around the paintball site,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59'Cerys is still struggling without her tech.'
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I miss, like, watching videos,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05going on social media...
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Like... I miss it a lot!
0:09:10 > 0:09:11That's your flour.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13'Meanwhile, Shakiah's also hoping
0:09:13 > 0:09:17'that lending a helping hand to her gran will help take her mind off
0:09:17 > 0:09:20'spending a second day without any gadgets.'
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Instead of using my technology,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26today we're going to be making mutton soup.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28You're going to start with the dumpling.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Mixing it, like that? - Yeah. That's it.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It's more fun mixing dough for dumplings than watching videos.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I think that should do it now. So, roll it all in, and press.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44'Getting stuck in with her gran's soup
0:09:44 > 0:09:48'is having a surprising effect on tech-obsessed Shakiah.'
0:09:48 > 0:09:53I'm not missing my gadgets as much as I would think I would.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I am missing them, but just not a lot.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00'It's the morning of day two,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02'and Alex, who is in the Unlimited Tech group
0:10:02 > 0:10:05'is starting the day with... well, a bit more tech.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:12The plan for today is going to be playing for a bit in the morning,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15and then going outside later.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18And then coming in when it's dark.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20And then playing a bit more.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'Alex leaves his brother and sister to it
0:10:22 > 0:10:25'and carries on with one of his favourite games.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27'But there's a problem.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:29I can't play this.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31I've come back to play.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Of course, it corrupted...
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and I'm not playing it ever again.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40'Alex's memory card isn't working properly,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43'meaning his hours of gaming has been a waste of time.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46All right, you two, can I go on the computer now?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48'And things are made even worse for Alex
0:10:48 > 0:10:51'when his brother and sister won't budge from the other computer.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- You can't kick us off. - You're always on it, though.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56You can't kick us off, though.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59I want to go on the computer, but I can't at the minute.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01No. Mum!
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Mum!
0:11:04 > 0:11:05HE SIGHS
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Getting quite bored of all the stuff now.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13'The Tech Challenge is well under way.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16'Time to check in and see how the rest of the class are getting on.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:20I feel good about myself, not using technology.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I don't think I can do it all the time,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25but, like, I feel more confident.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Don't know what to do with myself. I'm just so bored.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Maybe we do spend too much time on our gadgets.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Maybe we should take a step back from it...
0:11:36 > 0:11:39and...go outside.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45'It's the final day of the Tech Challenge...'
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Jasmine!
0:11:49 > 0:11:52'..and everyone is heading out for the day.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53'Even Alex.'
0:11:53 > 0:11:56We're going to probably go swimming.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00It is the first time we've come out since the challenge started.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03'Alex is leaving the house, and his unlimited tech behind
0:12:03 > 0:12:07'for a couple of hours, after a late night spent using his gadgets.'
0:12:07 > 0:12:10This morning, when I went into Alex's room,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13it appeared to me that he was fast asleep
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and the iPad had been left on since last night.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23It says here that using tech before bedtime can also affect your sleep.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26That's because gadgets like mobile phones and tablets
0:12:26 > 0:12:29emit the same kind of light as the sun.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31It's known as "blue light".
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Now, these light rays react with the cells behind our eyes
0:12:34 > 0:12:38and can trick us into thinking it's daylight.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Not very good when you're trying to get to sleep.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43'If you guys like to use your tech before bed
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'but worry that it may be affecting your sleep,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50'then the online phenomenon Stampy has some advice for you.'
0:12:50 > 0:12:53At least an hour before you go to bed,
0:12:53 > 0:12:54just try to not look at a screen
0:12:54 > 0:12:57or do anything too active, you know, mentally.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00I guess that's the thing I might be able to recommend.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Yeah, that is something that I have struggled with.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08'Back at the challenge, and Shakiah, who's in the No Tech group,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13'is getting stuck into a game of footy with her brother Shiloh.'
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Shiloh is a bit good,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20but he could work on his techniques.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24He could be more accurate.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Really, Shakiah? Really?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30'Shakiah would usually be glued to her gadgets...'
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Next goal wins!
0:13:31 > 0:13:35'..but having her tech taken away means she's got more time
0:13:35 > 0:13:37'to teach her brother a few tricks.'
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- Goal!- No goal!- I win.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45The challenge has been good...
0:13:45 > 0:13:49because it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It was actually quite easy.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58'The challenge is nearly over,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02'and Cerys, who's in the group limited to two hours of tech,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04'is avoiding the temptation of her gadgets
0:14:04 > 0:14:07'by walking her dogs Beau and Coco in the local park.'
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- Come on.- 'But despite getting out and about,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13'the challenge of cutting down on her time online
0:14:13 > 0:14:16'is starting to take its toll on Cerys.'
0:14:16 > 0:14:18I'm finding it extremely hard.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Like, I really miss tech.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And like, I'm not really talking to my friends as much.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27I'm really looking forward to it being over,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29cos I get to talk to my friends again.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I get to, like, watch videos online.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37'The challenge has come to an end
0:14:37 > 0:14:39'and the limits have been lifted.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42'Have the last three days changed what these guys think
0:14:42 > 0:14:45'about the role tech plays in their lives?'
0:14:45 > 0:14:47I have missed my gadgets,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51but I haven't used them as much as I thought I would.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The last three days has not changed the way I use tech.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57I would always use it for the time I use it,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and nothing's going to ever change about it.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I think I'm going to play less games.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Cos then you get to socialise, and you make new friends.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09'So, Alex is going to cut down on his tech.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12'But what about the rest of the class?'
0:15:12 > 0:15:15It surprised me with the challenge, because I actually enjoyed it.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I think people use tech too much,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19because half the time, they're always on it
0:15:19 > 0:15:22and they don't really communicate with their family members as much.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25It's actually more fun to play with family and have fun then,
0:15:25 > 0:15:27than spend time with electronics.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It made me understand that you have to value the things around you -
0:15:30 > 0:15:33even with or without tech.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Modern technology is awesome,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38and we can do some pretty amazing things with it.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41But we may well be spending too much time in front of our screens.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And as this lot have shown us,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46when we reduce our tech time,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49we don't miss it quite as much as we think.