Abstract
Background
Leisure time constitutes a central developmental arena for adolescents, shaping social belonging, identity formation, coping skills, and resilience. However, participation in organized and informal leisure activities varies systematically by gender and socioeconomic position (SEP). This study assess temporal trends in leisure patterns among Norwegian adolescents between 2014 and 2024, and examine differences by gender, SEP and rural-urban location.
Methods
The study builds on data from the repeated cross-sectional Ungdata survey collected in T1 (2014-2016), T2 (2017–2019), T3 (2021), and T4 (2024).The sample comprised lower secondary school students in Trøndelag county (N = 43,745, 50% girls). Sixteen indicators captured academic, digital, social, physical, and organized leisure activities. Age‑adjusted prevalence estimates were calculated using logistic regression, stratified by gender, SEP, and municipal centrality.
Results
Digital activity increased markedly over time for both genders. Social media use rose sharply among girls (≥1 h/day: 67% at T1 to 87% at T4), while gaming increased among boys (60% to 72%). Screen time peaked during the COVID‑19 period and remained high in 2024, with 74% of girls and 71% of boys reporting at least three hours daily. Time spent on homework and reading declined among both genders. Marked SEP differences were observed: adolescents from high‑SEP families participated more in organized and academic leisure, whereas those from low‑SEP families reported higher screen time and lower organized participation. Urban–rural differences were small, except for greater use of youth clubs in rural areas.
Conclusions
Adolescents’ leisure time has become increasingly digitalized, accompanied by widening socioeconomic inequalities in access to organized activities. These patterns reflect broader social inequalities and highlight the need for public health strategies that promote equitable access to meaningful leisure opportunities.
Key messages
• Adolescent leisure patterns have shifted markedly toward digital activities, accompanied by reduced academic engagement.
• Widening socioeconomic disparities in organized leisure activities highlight leisure as a key arena for public health intervention.