Most people don’t even register how much time they spend in front of their TV, computer, phone, or iPad. Even if it seems harmless, it can have many detrimental consequences.
Numerous screen time statistics reveal that most people spend way too much time in front of screens. Furthermore, we may say that they’re addicted to phones or other devices.
The reason for that could be work, school, playing video games, or just absent-mindedly scrolling through Instagram or Facebook.
Read the statistics we’ve compiled for you to gain a clear insight into how much people spend time in front of a screen, demographics, what device is most commonly used, and other valuable and interesting facts.
Key Screen Time Stats and Facts (Editor’s Choice)
- The average screen time for teenagers has doubled during the pandemic, and it’s 7.7 hours per day.
- More than 50% of adults have increased their screen time on at least two different devices.
- Generation Z spends nine hours a day in front of a screen.
- Americans’ average time in front of the phone screen is 3 hours and 54 minutes.
- The average phone screen time per day is 3 hours and 23 minutes in the UK.
- People spend around five hours in front of their laptops each day.
- People spend about 145 minutes on social networking.
- Snapchat users spend roughly 25 to 30 minutes a day on the app.
- Limiting social media screen time to 30 minutes per day improves well-being and reduces depression.
- The country with the highest screen time consumption in the world is the Philippines.
Screen Time Increase During Covid-19 Statistics
(Elite Content Marketer)
Generally, more children of all ages now spend time in front of their screens. Before the pandemic, 21% of children spent more than four hours on screens, and now that percentage stands at 44%.
The most significant difference between screen time is registered in kids aged 14 to 17, as 62% spend four or more hours on screen (and 32% did so before the pandemic).
2. The average screen time for teenagers has doubled during the pandemic, and it’s estimated at 7.7 hours per day.
(USA Today)
Covid screen time statistics point out that teenagers now spend almost eight hours in front of the screen, and screen time for school isn’t included in that time. According to the UCSF-led researchers, the most common recreational activities are watching or streaming videos, gaming, and watching TV shows.
3. 76% of survey respondents reported an increase in screen time because of the pandemic.
(NCBI)
Screen time during covid statistics show that recreational screen time during the pandemic has increased significantly. In addition to that, experts presume that it’s likely that screen time consumption will remain elevated even after restrictions are lifted.
4. More than 50% of adults increased their screen time on two or more different devices.
(NCBI)
According to a study, the overall screen time for adults over the age of 18 has increased by 40% compared to before the pandemic. Like for teenagers, the most prominent activities are watching TV shows, using streaming services, gaming, and spending time on social media.
(Frontiers In)
Screen time during pandemic statistics reveal that spending time on social media has helped people maintain a socio-emotional connection. However, even though it’s the easiest way to cope with loneliness and isolation, we can’t forget about its detrimental effects.
(NCBI)
Screen time statistics based on research from 2020 indicate that restrictions in Canada were severe, which resulted in a screen time increase. Almost 60% of Canadian adults reported watching movies, videos, and spending time in front of the TV more often.
Average Screen Time by Age and Device
7. The average time people in the US spend in front of the phone screen is 3 hours and 54 minutes.
(Elite Content Marketer)
The average screen time for adults that’s not spent on work or school is relatively worrying, as they spend nearly four hours on the phone screen. Interestingly, people typically spend more time on their phones on weekdays than during weekends.
8. The average phone screen time in the UK per day is 3 hours and 23 minutes.
(Elite Content Marketer)
Although people in the UK have slightly less screen time than in the US, it’s still a lot. It’s also important to mention that picking up your phone can instigate a chain reaction, leading to absent-mindedly scrolling through your phone.
9. Kids under 18 months shouldn’t be connected to electronic devices at all.
(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Children and screen time statistics suggest that excessive screen time at a very young age can hinder brain function and lead to life medication. That’s why kids under 18 months shouldn’t spend time on a screen.
10. Most people spend approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds on their phone after picking it up.
(Elite Content Marketer)
The average phone screen time after you pick it up is estimated at 1 minute and 15 seconds, and people typically pick up their phones 58 times a day. However, 70% of sessions last less than two minutes, while 5% last more than 10 minutes.
11. People spend around five hours in front of their laptops every day.
(People)
Statistics from a poll that included 2,000 American adults reveal that they consider less than half the time they spend on screen to be productive.
Furthermore, they spend 6,259 hours per year glued to gadgets. While 29% are on screen for work, 23% spend time shopping online, and 37% frequently watch TV.
12. 74% of children up to two years old watch TV, while 9% engage with gaming devices.
(Pew Research)
Most kids engage with television, as a staggering 93% of children watch TV. It’s the most popular device among children, along with gaming devices. On the contrary, only 21% of children aged between three and four spend time in front of the computer screen.
13. Members of Generation Z spend nine hours a day in front of the screen.
(Forbes)
According to Generation Z statistics on screen time, a lot of screen time can negatively impact sleep and goes hand in hand with sedentary behavior. Generation Z is one of the most affected groups.
14. Only 14% of parents report that their children started spending time on smartphones when they were 9 to 14 years old.
(Pew Research)
Some parents don’t allow their children to use smartphones before they’re at least nine years old. On the other hand, 60% of parents say their children started spending time on smartphones when they were four or younger.
Social Media Screen Time Statistics
(Statista)
Statista’s screen time data revealed that an average person spent about 2 hours and 25 minutes on social media in 2019 and 2020, while the time spent with social media in the US was two hours and three minutes per day.
16. The average daily time spent on Facebook is 58 minutes.
(Broad Band Search)
According to research conducted by SimilarWeb, an average Facebook user spends almost an hour per day on the app. Although it seems that young people aren’t interested in Facebook that much, statistics about screen time indicate that 59% of Facebook users in 2019 were aged between 18 and 34.
17. Android users in the US watch over 24 hours of content a month on TikTok.
(Input Mag)
Statistics of screen time reveal that TikTok is more popular than Youtube. While users watch more than 24 hours of content a month on TikTok, they spend 22 hours and 40 minutes on YouTube.
18. Snapchat users spend approximately 25 to 30 minutes a day on the app.
(Time)
The daily snapchat screen time is around 25 to 30 minutes, which isn’t a lot. However, Snapchat users most likely use other social media platforms, which can result in too much screen time.
Statistics on Screen Time and Its Dangers
19. In the UK, kids who spent more than three hours a day on screens were more likely to show signs of resistance to insulin.
(Journalists Resource)
Too much screen time can accelerate the development of Type 2 diabetes. A study revealed that kids aged nine to ten who spent more time on screens than their peers were less lean and more likely to develop insulin resistance.
20. 41% of parents find it difficult to control their child’s screen time.
(Internet Matters)
Children’s screen time statistics reveal that many parents can’t control what kind of content their children aged 12 to 15 are exposed to. Even if online activities like video games can enhance creativity and teamwork, parents are worried about their children and their screen time.
21. Watching TV negatively impacts academic performance more than using other electronic devices.
(Journalists Resource)
One of the interesting too much screen time facts is that TV is probably the worst device you can engage with. Namely, according to 58 studies, there’s no clear association between screen time and academic performance.
However, researchers have found that TV screen time is linked to poorer language, mathematics, and overall academic performance.
22. Too much screen time can lead to weight gain and behavioral problems in children aged 5 to 17.
(AIFS)
Screen time and obesity statistics prove that there’s a link between spending too much time in front of a screen and weight gain. It appears that watching TV is the most detrimental when obesity is in question. Additionally, screen time is connected with emotional problems in girls.
(Very Well Family)
Apart from behavior problems, exposure to violent content can cause kids to become desensitized to violence. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, they could even imitate what they’ve seen on their screens and use violence to solve problems.
24. Children who often watch TV have more difficulty picking up languages, as they can develop a 50% higher delay in learning for every 30 minutes spent in front of the TV.
(Active Health)
Some facts about too much screen time prove that children can learn foreign languages just by watching TV and absorbing content in that language. Still, spending too much time in front of the TV can result in delayed learning.
It’s not recommended to educate children by letting them watch shows passively. Instead, children should be engaged and learn while they’re exploring physically.
Other Noteworthy Screen Time Facts and Stats
(QZ)
Many interesting facts about screen time point out that social media use can lead to depression and low self-esteem. Still, it’s worth mentioning that, even though limiting social media to 30 minutes a day can make you feel less lonely and depressed, some studies have shown that it doesn’t help with low self-esteem.
26. The Philippines is the country with the highest screen time consumption in the world.
(Comparitech)
One of the shocking facts about screen time by country is that Filipinos spend 10 hours and 56 minutes per day looking at a screen. Some other countries with an average screen time of 10 hours are Columbia, South Africa, and Brazil.
27. The Chinese government has limited children from playing online games more than three hours per week.
(Today)
Screen time trends in China are different than in other countries because the government wants to control the screen time of minors. They can only play video games for up to three hours a week.
Related Questions
What is an average person’s screen time?
Statistics reveal rather worrying data about screen time. People from all around the world spend around 145 minutes on social networking alone, while the members of Generation Z spend a staggering nine hours on the screen. In the US, the average screen time for teenagers is around 7.7 hours.
Since many people work from home or have online classes, it’s normal that the average screen time has gone up. However, it doesn’t justify all that time spent on the phone or in front of the TV.
What do experts say about screen time?
Of course, experts say that screen time should be limited, especially for children. It’s always better to invest time in physical activities because sitting too much isn’t healthy. In fact, too much screen time can lead to obesity.
Still, educational apps and some video games aren’t a waste of time like scrolling through social media platforms is. It’s all about moderation. Too much screen time can lead to sleep deprivation, health issues, lack of social skills, and low self-esteem.
What is the average screen time on a phone per day?
In the US, the average screen time on a phone is 3 hours and 54 minutes and 3 hours and 23 minutes in the UK. However, the data based on a study of 11k RescueTime users shows that people generally spend approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes a day on their phones.
Still, a survey from 2021 showed that 46% of people spent five to six hours on their smartphones that year (not including work-related time), while only 5% reported spending less than one hour per day.
How much time should you spend on your phone?
Scientists and experts recommend limiting screen time to 30 minutes per day (work and school-related things aren’t included, as some people have no choice but to spend more time in front of screens).
Spending too much time on the phone can lead to many health and psychological problems. Even if educational material and learning online are productive, sitting too much is unhealthy. Furthermore, you might have problems with falling asleep because of your phone.
What is the average screen time per day for a teenager?
Teenagers spend almost eight hours per day in front of screens, and, according to researchers, the coronavirus pandemic is to blame. Namely, teenagers now spend around 7.7 hours per day using electronic devices, apart from being on screens for five to seven hours per day for school.
That’s worrying, as their pre-pandemic screen time was around 3.8 hours per day. Too much screen time can drastically increase stress levels in adolescents and hinder their coping abilities.
What is a good screen time for a teenager?
The newest recommendations from doctors are much more flexible than before. There are no more strict time limits for children and teenagers because it’s much more important how they spend time on their phones and other devices.
While entertainment and educational content are beneficial, exposure to inappropriate images or violent content should be prevented.
Screen time statistics from a few years ago indicate that teenagers shouldn’t spend more than two hours on their electronic devices, but we need to understand that being online plays a big part in their lives.
Conclusion: Screen Time Statistics
It’s been a wild ride, I know. But, now that we’ve looked at the latest screen time statistics, it’s time to wrap up.
Although spending too much time in front of the screen is more harmful than beneficial, it’s not entirely bad. It’s all about how you spend that time and which information you absorb.
Even gaming and entertainment aren’t necessarily a waste of time. For instance, you can follow educational profiles on Instagram or TikTok and still learn a lot of interesting things.
It’s important to note that spending time on the Internet helped so many people stay in touch with friends and family during lockdowns. Just don’t forget to prioritize sleep and physical activity over spending time using electronic devices.
And, what a good opportunity to talk about the benefits of using your screen less!
We do live in a digital world, and we rely on our screens to get us through the day (and night). But, most of us don’t need to be using our phones and computers as much as we are.
Cutting back on screen time can help you:
- Improve your sleep quality
- Increase brain power and productivity
- Reduce stress levels and anxiety
- Improve physical health and increase exercise time
- Increase overall happiness
- Develop real-life relationships with others
So, as you move forward in your day today/tomorrow/this week, try cutting down on your screen time. You may just find yourself happier and healthier than ever before!
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