A new poll from tech brand Hive has revealed the top beach day grumbles for young adults, with filthy loos (43%), parking nightmares (30%) and seagulls nicking your chips (25%) leaving the TikTok generation crying.
Around one in ten say they'd rather stay at home because they can't see their screen in the sun, and nearly as many sulk because they can't recharge their mobiles. Other reasons to swerve the sands include the sea being too cold, too much walking and sandy feet.
Phone-Related Anxieties
Perhaps the most concerning reasons are the phone-related ones. With the rise of technology, are we really seeing the fall of wholesome activities like going to the seaside?
“For many teens, not being reachable during leisure time or not being able to document an experience generates anxiety even greater than the enjoyment the activity itself provides,” said Brian Lutz, Chief Clinical Officer at Blume Behavioral Health, speaking to the Daily Star.
He added: “The detail about phone chargers may seem insignificant, but it does provide a significant insight into the different attitudes among the youth toward leisure. A beach does not facilitate connectivity and it becomes something resembling boring time instead of leisure time. We notice that there is a general tendency among young people to participate in those leisure activities which can be tracked in real time.”
Parental Advice
“If parents are wondering what to do, they shouldn't think of it as a battle since that does not produce good results and creates tension. Rather, parents should focus on ensuring that the alternative is attractive,” Lutz said.
Hive's Solar Solution
Susan Wells, Solar Director at Hive – who have launched a solar-powered ‘Powersol’ that charges phones – said: "When the weather heats up, Britain heads to the coast, but beaches rarely offer power. Dead phones and no charging points have become a familiar frustration, especially when people rely on their devices for digital tickets, maps, messaging and mobile payments."
“At a time when energy can feel unpredictable, we wanted to give people a way to feel more in control – so with the Hive Powersol, we're literally harnessing the power of the sun to keep Britain powered up, wherever they are,” Wells added.
