Room to Grow? The Role of Adolescents’ Bedrooms During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Adolescents spend increasing amounts of time alone in their bedrooms, a shift which likely intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Past research has pointed to potential developmental reasons, benefits (e.g., increasing autonomy), and risks (e.g., social isolation, greater screen time) of high amounts of time alone. We explored adolescents’ experiences of their bedrooms during pandemic restrictions, as a potentially unique developmental context. We conducted 10 focus groups and 23 interviews with 74 young people, ages 10 to 19 (46% girls/women; 49% boys/men; 6% gender neutral/gender fluid/agender; 16% LGBTQ+; 5% Indigenous; 35% persons of colour; 7% persons with a disability). Middle to late adolescents, in particular, described their bedrooms as relevant to their developmental needs for autonomy and independence. Further, they underlined the emotional complexity surrounding bedrooms, such as feeling both trapped and seeking comfort and relaxation. Findings suggest the importance of time alone, and also strategies and discussion points for youth and parents.