Vermont Mountain School limits Facebook ties for teens

The current generation of school-age students spend more time online than any other. But what happens when they are asked to live and interact without mobile phones and with limited internet for a few months?

At the Mountain School in rural Vermont, 45 students from across the US find out each term what life is like without the technological advantages offered by their life at home.

Normally, three-quarters of Mountain School students spend two or more hours online at home every day, with a quarter online for five hours or more, they told the BBC.

In a survey, students said checking Facebook and email, doing homework and chatting with friends were their favourite activities.

But a few months in rural Vermont has changed their perspective on how technology is used.

"I think it forced everybody to get to know everybody on more of a personal level, instead of just checking their Facebook pictures," said Keifer, 17.

Thirty-three of 43 respondents said they would use the internet a little or a lot less upon their return home.

But they will face a challenge reintegrating into a world where friends and family might be as tech-happy as before.

Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser