Playwright brings teen phone addiction into focus at House of Commons
Generation Fomo explores social media’s effect on young minds
A Kent playwright’s powerful verbatim production highlighting the impact of smartphones and social media on young people is set to debut at the House of Commons.
Generation Fomo – Fear of Missing Out – is a verbatim play written by Isabelle Defaut, artistic director of Portrait Theatre, drawing directly from interviews conducted with people aged 10-25.
The play explores how smartphones shape young people’s lives, their mental health, and their relationships, based on real-life accounts from contributors.
Honest accounts from a generation online
Defaut explained her methodology as a playwright specialising in verbatim theatre, where real interviews are woven into a narrative.
“Generation Fomo is based entirely on interviews. Nothing is fictional; these are the voices of young people sharing their experiences with phones and social media,” Defaut said.
She highlighted poignant testimony from children who described their addiction to phones and the overwhelming influence of technology.
“They’re angry with tech companies,” Defaut said. “Some told me how hooked they feel, even as early as the age of 14 or 15, and the challenges they face are harder for them to navigate than it is for adults."
She acknowledged how many young people she spoke to appreciated school bans on phones, describing these moments as a welcome respite.
Defaut supports Denmark’s policy of banning smartphones in schools and Australia’s prohibition of social media for under-16s, calling on the UK government to take similar action.
H2: Bringing crucial conversations to the stage
Since touring schools across Kent, supported by Kent County Council and the University of Kent, Generation Fomo has sparked conversations among parents, teachers, and young people.
“We actively encourage parents to attend alongside their children, creating a dialogue about very tough topics,” Defaut said.
The play brings sensitive subjects—including the consumption of harmful online content—into an open environment, helping families and schools start meaningful discussions.
Defaut said creating awareness and normalising these conversations is key to supporting young people in an increasingly digital world.
House of Commons debut
The special performance of Generation Fomo will take place in the Jubilee Room above the Commons chamber on Wednesday. A post-show discussion will follow with a panel of teachers in attendance.
All MPs, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have been invited to attend. Defaut hopes that if Starmer takes part, he will reconsider his opposition to banning phones for under-16s in schools.
“If he does come, I hope he takes the views of these young people home and changes his position,” she says.
University of Kent support
Generation Fomo’s success has been partially attributed to assistance from the University of Kent’s School of Arts and Architecture, which helped develop the production through testimonies, mentoring, and performances.
Senior theatre lecturer Jayne Thompson said: “Staff and alumni have played a crucial role in shaping Generation Fomo as it raises awareness about the major influence of smartphones and social media on young people.”
As Generation Fomo premieres at the House of Commons, the production aims to shine a light on important debates around technology and support systems for the next generation.