Screens have become an essential part of our daily lives. From smartphones to computers, from televisions to gaming consoles, screens are everywhere. But have you ever wondered how much time we spend on screens globally, and how this varies across different age groups and use types? Let’s find out!
In Adults:
According to a report by We Are Social and Hootsuite, the average internet user worldwide spends about 6 hours and 54 minutes per day using screens. This includes all devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Interestingly, this is an increase of about 7% from the previous year, which highlights the growing importance of screens in our lives.
Let’s dive deeper into the different age groups. The report also reveals that the 16-24 age group spends the most time on screens, with an average of 7 hours and 26 minutes per day. This is closely followed by the 25-34 age group, who spend around 7 hours and 10 minutes per day on screens. However, it’s worth noting that even the over 55s age group spends around 4 hours and 16 minutes per day on screens, showing that screens are an important part of everyone’s lives, regardless of age.
Now, let’s take a look at the different types of screen use. Unsurprisingly, social media is one of the most popular uses of screens, with users spending an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes per day on social media platforms. This is followed by video streaming, with an average of 2 hours and 11 minutes per day spent on platforms such as YouTube and Netflix.
But screens are not just for entertainment. They are also essential for work and education. With the ongoing pandemic, remote working and online learning have become increasingly prevalent, leading to an even greater reliance on screens. A report by the World Economic Forum found that during the pandemic, the average screen time for work and education increased by 50-70%.
So, what do these statistics mean for us? While screens have undoubtedly brought us many benefits, it’s also important to be mindful of the potential negative effects of excessive screen time, such as eye strain and poor sleep. As the American Optometric Association warns, “too much screen time can lead to digital eye strain, which can cause discomfort, headaches, and fatigue.”
Our kids spend their days watching us and learning from the behavior we model, so let us now take a look at how our children are doing.
According to a report by Common Sense Media, American children aged 8 to 12 years old spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes per day on screens, while teenagers aged 13 to 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens.
These statistics are echoed in other parts of the world. In the UK, children aged 5 to 16 years old spend an average of 2 hours and 43 minutes per day on screens, while in Australia, children aged 5 to 17 years old spend an average of 2 hours and 46 minutes per day on screens. In China, children aged 6 to 18 years old spend an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes per day on screens.
The negative effects of excessive screen time on children and teenagers have been a concern for many parents and educators. Studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to a number of issues, such as sleep problems, poor academic performance, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
To combat these issues, many countries have introduced guidelines for screen time for children and teenagers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children aged 2 to 5 years old have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day, while children aged 6 years and older should have consistent limits on the amount of time spent on screens.
Similarly, the UK government has issued guidelines recommending that children aged 5 to 16 years old should have no more than 2 hours of screen time per day, while the Australian government recommends that children aged 5 to 17 years old have no more than 2 hours of screen time per day.
It’s also important to note that screen time varies widely depending on the country. In South Korea, for example, teenagers spend an average of 13 hours per day on screens, while in India, children aged 9 to 17 years old spend an average of 3 hours and 25 minutes per day on screens.
While screens are an integral part of our daily lives, it’s important to be mindful of the potential negative effects of excessive screen time, especially for children and teenagers. Guidelines for screen time can be useful, but ultimately, it’s up to parents and educators to monitor screen time and ensure that it is balanced with other activities. As the American Academy of Pediatrics notes, “parents and caregivers should develop a family media plan that takes into account the health, education, and entertainment needs of each child as well as the whole family.”
References:
We Are Social and Hootsuite. (2021). Digital 2021: Global Overview Report. https://wearesocial.com/digital-2021
World Economic Forum. (2021). Digital Transformation Initiative. https://www.weforum.org/projects/digital-transformation-initiative
American Optometric Association. (2021). Digital Eye Strain. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-your-vision/computer-usage
Common Sense Media. (2019). The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-common-sense-census-media-use-by-tweens-and-teens-2019
Ofcom. (2021). Children and parents: Media use and attitudes report 2021. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/231150/children-parents-media-use-attitudes-2021-report.pdf
Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). Physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines. https://www.health.gov.au/resources/physical-activity-and-sedentary-behaviour-guidelines-for-all-ages
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Media and Young Minds. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162591
Statista. (2022). Daily screen time of teenagers in selected countries worldwide as of 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1144191/daily-screen-time-of-teenagers-by-country/
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