generation fomo
Generation FOMO is a new play by Isabelle Defaut exploring the experiences of young people using smartphones and social media and the impact on their mental health.
Consisting of interviews with students from the University of Kent as well as primary and secondary school pupils, talking about their relationships with their phones and social media and the impact this has had on their day to day lives.
Also included are the voices of parents/carers, teachers and mental health professionals highlighting their concerns of navigating this ever changing digital landscape.
All interviewees remain anonymous.
The research and development phase of Generation FOMO was funded by the Outreach department at the University of Kent. This concluded in a sharing in July to an invited audience on campus at the Aphra Theatre.
In November we were invited to perform the play as part of Whitstable Unplugged at the Horsebridge Arts Center hosted by Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.
generation fomo to be performed at Commons
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generation fomo to be performed at Commons //
Generation Fomo at the House of Commons, Tuesday 7th January 2026
Click here to access the BBC article
“On Wednesday 7th January, I was in the Houses of Parliament to see Generation Fomo, by Isabelle Defaut, a play, using words spoken by young people in interviews, from 10 to 25, to ask an absolutely vital question. Social Media is smothering, manipulating and overwhelming the lives of our next generation. And for some, even leading them to end their lives; what are we going to do about it?
As the great James Baldwin said “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
In a room with 5 chairs, 5 young actors and nothing more than their audacity, determination, courage and humour, they faced and articulated this question with consummate skill. They left the audience confronted, disturbed, educated and, ultimately, deeply inspired. Inspired to leave that room and begin to make change.
This is where resistance begins. With the smallest but most powerful action. At the grassroots. Where we all are: standing up to, facing, confronting unimaginable power wielded by the companies who run what appears in the palm of our hands.”
Simon McBurney / Artistic Director, Complicité
