Too much time on our smartphones? ‘Not us’ say youths as Whitechapel graffiti mural is unveiled

A graffiti mural that illuminates at night making a statement about “negative youth stereotypes” has been unveiled in Whitechapel.

The graffiti mural that illuminates at night. Picture: Adrian Brooks/Imagewise - Credit: Adrian Brooks/Imagewise

The 30ft-long artwork on a wall just off the Commercial Road has been spray-painted by Graffiti Kings street art collective for a phone company showing how teenagers and young people use their smartphones to connect to the world.

"Young people get a lot of stick for spending too much time online," Graffiti Kings' co-founder Graham Golden said.

"But this piece brings to life positive things they're doing through technology, from creativity to being young entrepreneurs."

Three-out-of-four users aged 16 to 24 say older people think they spend too much time on their smartphones, a survey by Honor communications found.

Graffiti showing smartphones linking young people to the world. Picture: Adrian Brooks/Imagewise - Credit: Adrian Brooks/Imagewise

They use their smartphones "to let the world know they've arrived" like following young social activists such as Greta Thunburg, the 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl climate champion.

Smartphones, say researchers, make them aware of world news, politics or environmentally conscious.