A new government review led by Alan Milburn, the worklessness tsar, claims that doom scrolling on smartphones is rewiring young people into an 'anxious generation', contributing to record numbers of young adults not working. Nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds are now NEETs (not in education, employment or training), with mental ill-health, anxiety, depression, and neurodiversity cited as key factors.
The Digital Age and Its Impact
Milburn, a former health secretary, argues that growing up in a digital age has heightened distress and anxiety among young people, leading them to choose benefits over work. He describes them as a 'bedroom generation' who spend excessive time on social media, which impairs sleep patterns and concentration, ultimately affecting their ability to work. The review's interim findings, based on conversations with over 400 young people, reveal that many go to bed between midnight and 3am due to scrolling, resulting in poorer sleep and mental distress.
Call for Pastoral Care
Milburn insists that young people are not to blame and should not be dismissed as 'snowflakes'. Instead, he urges British businesses to offer greater 'pastoral care' to entice them into work. He warns that a diagnosis of anxiety, depression, ADHD, or autism should not automatically preclude young people from working, but the benefits system must be reformed to avoid trapping them in worklessness.
Systemic Issues
The review also highlights a lack of first jobs and entry-level positions, as well as inadequate career preparation in schools. Milburn criticises the welfare system as being 'built for a different era' and warns of a 'generational, societal and economic catastrophe' if reforms are not implemented. He notes that nearly half of NEETs have never worked, and among those signed off with long-term sickness, mental health issues have risen sharply from 24% in 2011 to over 40% now.
Employer Responsibility
Milburn calls on employers to invest in young people through work experience, supported internships, and apprenticeships. He states: 'Britain's bosses cannot stand back. If you want work ready young people, you must help create them and support and invest in them.' The review's final recommendations, including changes to the benefits system, are expected in the autumn.
