Screen time statistics As of Q3 2024, internet users spent six hours and 38 minutes online daily 50% of U.S.teens aged 12 – 17 spend four or more hours a day using a screen Around the world, people spend more than 40% of their waking hours interacting with screens 25% of teens who had four or more hours of daily screen time experience anxiety and depression About 69% of the world’s total population uses the internet, and today more than ever, these internet users are spending their time online for entertainment purposes.As the average time spent online increases year after year, it’s raised questions about screen time and its consequences, especially in children. How much screen time is too much? What are the consequences of too much screen time, and how do you manage it? Should children’s screen time be limited? We’ll answer these questions and more so you can be better informed of the reality of screen time in today’s digital age. The pandemic spiked screen time It’s no surprise that COVID-19 brought about many changes to our online habits.
Quarantining led to an increase in screen time in both children and adults all over the world, and these trends have continued post-pandemic. During COVID-19, the average screen time for American adults increased by over 60%, and overall adult screen time increased to over 13 hours a day. Children also began to spend more time online, with average daily screen time increasing by two hours during the pandemic.Perhaps even more significant is the continuation of these trends.While kids’ screen time increased during the pandemic, it has stayed that way.
The continued high screen time tendencies among children and adults have led to questions regarding the consequences of prolonged time in front of screens every day – and it’s safe to say we are spending far too much time online than recommended. Global screen time The recommended screen time for adults is no more than two hours per day, but the average amount of time internet users aged 16 – 64 spend online ranges from about five hours to over seven and a half hours.The global average is six hours and 38 minutes.Compared to South Africa, which spends an average of nine hours and 24 minutes spent online, America falls in the middle of the pack.
But Japan, which has the lowest average time spent online at just three hours and 56 minutes, makes it clear the U.S.has a long way to go before it reaches the recommended screen time. Mobile screen time While computers and laptops remain important in the workplace, most people use their mobile devices to access the internet for personal use.In fact, people aged 16 – 34 spend over 50% of their time online, accessing the Internet from their mobile devices.
This data isn’t surprising, considering that social media accounts for 25% of all digital media consumption and is mainly accessed through mobile devices. Read more about mobile vs.desktop usage.Screen time by age As expected, the younger the age, the more time spent online.
Older generations that did not grow up with the technology of the younger generations are naturally less inclined to spend hours and hours on social media and other entertainment applications. According to Data Reportal’s 2025 global report, females aged 16 – 24 spend the most time online daily at seven hours and 35 minutes.The most time spent online by males falls within an older age group of 25 – 34 years old at seven hours and 13 minutes. The age group with the lowest screen time is males and females aged 55 – 64 years old.Females in this group spend an average of five hours and 18 minutes online while males spend an average of five hours and 21 minutes online daily. Regardless of the lower screen time trends in older adults, five hours is still well above the recommended two hours per day, but in general, the older a country’s population is as a whole, the less time that country will collectively spend online. Increased screen time in U.S.
children Increased screen time amongst American children has persisted in the years since the pandemic.According to the Mayo Clinic, no screen time is recommended for children under 2 years old, and for children aged 2 – 12, one hour per day is recommended.For teens, two hours per day is recommended.
However, not only do children and teens breach this limit, but they do so in the extreme.Young children and screen media A 2025 report by Common Sense Media analyzed media use in children from birth to 8 years old.The report found that children are now exposed to screens at a younger age, with 40% of children having a tablet by the age of 2, and almost 60% by the age of 4.
By age 8, nearly 25% of children have their own cell phone, while over 50% of children 8 and younger have their own mobile device.Within this age range, gaming was the most prominent form of screen media. Common Sense Media also surveyed parents about their children’s use of screen media, and the majority of them are worried.About 75 – 80% of parents expressed concerns over their children’s use of screen media, whether it be excessive use, inappropriate content or effects on mental health.
Teens and screen media According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health Interview Survey, 50% of American teens ages 12 – 17 spent four or more hours per day using a screen.Unlike younger children, though, teens are far more active on social media. A survey of U.S.teens found that they spend an average of almost five hours per day on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Over 60% of teens claimed they were almost constantly connected to Instagram, and 17% to TikTok.Children’s access to screens at much younger ages and teens spending most of their waking hours consuming screen media has resulted in a growing discourse regarding the consequences of excessive screen time and things we can do to mitigate the negative effects. Consequences of excessive screen time Spending too much time on a screen can have consequences.According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, too much screen time can result in: Trouble sleeping – Bright screen lights can reduce melatonin release at night time, keeping you awake. Mood changes – Too much time online can affect your emotional health Brain alterations – Too much screen time at a young age can alter your cortex, the part of the brain that processes information. Excessive screen time in kids can also lead to developmental issues, resulting in social-emotional developmental problems, increased anxiety, impaired emotional comprehension and hindered social and emotional competence. Data from the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey illustrates a relationship between increased screentime and symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to the CDC. The survey found that of the 50% of teens who had four or more hours of screen time per day, 25% of them recently experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Teens with four or more hours of screen time daily were also more likely to experience depression compared with teens who had less than four hours of daily screen time. While eliminating screen time altogether in our digital society is no longer feasible considering screen media’s presence in classrooms, work and social settings, it can be managed, especially in younger children and teens.Managing screen time Do you think your screen time is too high? There are ways to manage it in order to mitigate possible negative effects. Check your screen time on your device – You can find out how much time you’ve spent on your device in your settings.Learning about how long you typically spend online or staring at a screen can give you a good place to start when trying to manage your screen time. Resist screen time when you are bored, distracted or stressed – Grabbing your phone or turning on the TV can often be a default method of spending your time when you find yourself distracted, bored or stressed.
Next time, consider whether screen time is what you really need and think of alternative ways to spend your time. Don’t use your devices while you eat – Even eliminating electronics while you eat your meals can help you manage your daily screen time. Designate screen-free times during your day – Blocking out specific times of your day with no screens, like one or two hours before bed or when you wake up can help you build more healthy habits towards screen time. Consider alternatives to screen time – Instead of immediately reaching for a screen, consider alternate activities such as reading, exercising, spending time with friends, etc. You can also check out some apps that limit screen time for you or your family: RescueTime – RescueTime tracks the time you spend on apps and websites, allowing you to better manage your screen time.Qustodio – A parental control app that can limit screen time by blocking or limiting time spent on apps. Bark – Bark is another parental control app that can create app and web time rules for different times of the day. iOS Screen time – Apple’s built-in screen time limiting app in settings can help you track your screen time and set usage limits without having to download other apps. Space – Space helps you set goals so you can be more mindful about your time spent online. See Allconnect’s News and Research hubs for more broadband guides and information.Screen time FAQs What is the average screen time for a teenager? Teenagers spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes staring at a screen per day, not including time spent working on school and homework. How do I manage my screen time? Start by tracking your screen time in your device settings.
You can also use screen time managing apps to limit your usage and practice good daily habits around your electronic devices.
What is the recommended screen time for children?
Children under two years old shouldn’t have any screen time, while children aged 2-12 are recommended one hour per day.Its recommended that teens and adults have no more than two hours of screen time per day.
Written by:
Camryn Smith
As one of Allconnect’s writers, Camryn Smith helps consumers navigate complex home internet services and broadband technology through her helpful content.Using her expertise in the broadband space, Camryn edu…
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Edited by:
Hannah Whatley
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