NEW Screen Time Statistics [2025]: How Much Time We Spend on Screens?

Ever wondered how much time you actually spend staring at a screen? 

From work to entertainment, our lives are increasingly digital. Recent data shows that the average screen time is soaring, with average screen time being 6 hours and 58 minutes worldwide. It is raising concerns about its impact on health, productivity, and lifestyle. 

There is a very high chance of anxiety and depression in 41% of adults who exceed 9 hours of daily screen time. 

Curious to know more? Let’s dive into the latest screen time statistics to understand just how much of our lives are spent on screens.

Key takeaways

• The average daily screen time for adults is over 7 hours.
• Teens spend nearly 9 hours daily on screens, excluding schoolwork.
• The average person checks their phone 96 times a day.
• Increased screen time is linked to higher stress and poor sleep quality.
• Remote work has driven a 40% increase in screen exposure.
• Gaming and streaming services are major contributors to rising screen time.
• Experts recommend limiting recreational screen time to 2 hours per day. 

General screen time statistics

The global average screen time is 6 hours and 58 minutes per day.

Americans spend 4.5 hours daily on mobile devices alone.

Screen time surged by 70% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 75% of employees experience digital eye strain from excessive screen exposure.

41% of adults exceed 9 hours of daily screen time. 

Young adults (18-24) have the highest screen time, averaging 9+ hours daily.

Average screen time statistics by device

Users keep themselves engaged in multiple devices, some of them even use multiple devices at a time. Like the times when we scroll our phone and our laptop screen is open. 

According to data these devices have average daily screen time:

Social media & screen time- how much time are people spending there?

1. The average person spends 2 hours and 27 minutes daily on social media.
2. TikTok users spend over 1.5 hours per day on the platform.
3. Facebook remains a top choice, with 33 minutes of daily usage.
4. Instagram and Snapchat users average 30+ minutes daily.
5. 60% of people check social media first thing in the morning.

How is screen time impacting your health?

Looking at the data, high screen times are incredibly risky.

• Excessive screen time is linked to a 30% higher risk of anxiety and depression.
• People who spend more than 5 hours a day on screens are twice as likely to suffer from sleep disorders.
• Blue light exposure from screens can reduce melatonin production by 50%. And it directly affects your sleep.
• Children aged 5-12 should have no more than 2 hours of screen time per day, but most exceed this limit.
• Digital eye strain affects 80% of people who use screens for prolonged periods.

Workplace and remote work screen time statistics 

Your screen hours multiply directly when you work remotely. According to statistics remote workers spend an average of 13 hours per day on screens.

67% of employees admit to multitasking on screens during virtual meetings.

55% of companies report higher screen fatigue among remote teams.

Work-from-home employees take fewer screen breaks which leads to an increase in eye strain and fatigue.

Smartphone screen time by country

In Q3 2023, smartphone usage hit staggering numbers, with Filipinos leading the way and spending an average of 5 hours and 20 minutes per day on their phones. 

They weren’t alone—Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand also crossed the 5-hour mark which highlights a growing trend of mobile dependence.

Interestingly, 22 countries exceeded the global average of 3 hours and 50 minutes per day. South America and Southeast Asia dominated the top rankings, each with four nations in the top 10 for daily smartphone screen time.

Here’s a closer look at how much time people across different regions are glued to their phones:

The US, Canada, and most of Europe saw much lower numbers, with Japan reporting the least smartphone screen time at 1 hour and 54 minutes per day—nearly 2 hours, which is below the global average.

Children and teen screen time statistics

Tweens (8-12 years old) have an average screen time of 5 hours per day. That’s too much to negatively affect a kid’s brain!

It is not surprising to note that 70% of parents say managing their kids' screen time is a major challenge they face every day. 

Longer screen time in kids is linked to lower attention spans and poor academic performance.

Schools report that students using screens for more than 3 hours daily struggle with concentration.

Conclusion

Screen time is deeply embedded in our daily routines, but excessive exposure can have significant health and productivity consequences. 

Whether it’s social media, work, or entertainment, balancing screen usage is key to maintaining well-being. Cutting back, taking screen breaks, and setting usage limits can help reduce negative effects.

FAQs

What is the average daily screen time in 2025?

The global average daily screen time is around 7 hours, with higher usage among younger demographics.

How much screen time is considered too much?

Experts suggest limiting non-work screen time to under 2 hours per day for optimal health. 

How does excessive screen time affect health?

It can cause eye strain, sleep disturbances, increased stress, and mental health issues.

Do remote workers have higher screen time? 

Yes, remote employees spend an average of 13 hours per day on screens. 

How can I reduce screen time?

Try screen-free breaks, blue light filters, time limits on apps, and outdoor activities.

What age group spends the most time on screens?

Young adults (18-24) have the highest screen time, exceeding 9 hours per day.

Sources

1. Statista. Average Daily Screen Time Worldwide
2. Pew Research. Teen Screen Habits
3. RescueTime. Phone Usage Trends
4. Sleep Foundation. Screen Time & Sleep
5. Forbes. Remote Work & Digital Exposure
6. Nielsen. Streaming & Gaming Time
7. CDC. Recommended Screen Time Limits
8. DataReportal. Digital time across world