What activities can replace endless scrolling for a teen who claims “nothing else is interesting”? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a teenager says “nothing else is interesting,” it is often because their brain is conditioned to the rapid, low-effort rewards of scrolling. The key is to introduce real-world activities that offer a deeper, more satisfying sense of accomplishment. 

Tap Into Their Latent Passions 

Gently probe to rediscover what they used to enjoy before scrolling became their default activity. Was it art, sport, baking, or coding? Help them find an age-appropriate, more advanced version of that interest. This could be a graphic design course instead of simple drawing, or joining a recreational sports league instead of just playing in the garden. This shows you respect their maturity. 

Introduce Challenge-Based Hobbies 

Teens are motivated by progress and mastery. Suggest activities that have clear goals and a tangible sense of achievement. This might include learning a new language with an app, mastering skateboarding tricks, learning to code, or completing an online certification. These pursuits provide a dopamine hit that is based on real skill development, which is far more rewarding than passive scrolling. 

Leverage Their Need for Social Connection 

Endless scrolling often provides a shallow sense of social connection. Counter this by encouraging activities with a strong, real-world social element. This could be anything from volunteering for a cause they care about, joining a youth group or book club, or even getting a structured part-time job. The authentic peer connection and shared purpose found in these activities make them naturally more appealing than virtual interactions. 

By replacing mindless scrolling with meaningful challenges and real social engagement, parents can help rekindle a teen’s passion for the real world. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us that our actions should be purposeful, and our time should be invested in what benefits our soul, not what corrupts it through idleness. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Shams (91), Verses 9–10: 

‘Without any doubt success is for the one who developed purity (of the self), and indeed, failure is for the one who embraces (the darkness of ignorance and immorality).’ 

This verse provides a powerful framework for how we use our time. We can either “purify” the soul through engaging in activities that promote growth, skill, and connection, or we can “corrupt” it by letting it stagnate in aimless, distracting scrolling. This choice is the very measure of success or failure. 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave us a profound reminder about the value of our time and youth. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, 2333, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Take advantage of five things before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.‘ 

This hadith is a direct call to action. It teaches teenagers that their free time and youth are precious, fleeting assets that should be invested wisely. Guiding them to fill this time with beneficial skills, worship, and healthy relationships is helping them seize these blessings before they are gone.