Time Spent on TikTok Statistics: How Many Hours Are We Scrolling?

TikTok is one app we can't seem to put down. The average person spends about 34 hours per month on TikTok. This is almost a full-time work week watching short videos. 

Most users open the app at least 19 times a day, and unlike the quick glances given to other social platforms, people stay on TikTok for almost 11 minutes per session.

These time spent on TikTok statistics might hit a little too close to home than expected.

How much time are we really spending on TikTok, and should we be concerned?

Let’s find out.

What is the average time spent on TikTok?

TikTok has figured out the secret of keeping people glued to the screen. How so?

In 2023, users worldwide spent around 34 hours per month scrolling through their FYP (For You Page).

Breaking this down, about 6% of TikTok users admit to spending over 10 hours per week on the platform. Another 11% clock between 5 to 10 hours weekly. 

3 in 10 TikTok users say they spend less than an hour watching TikTok videos weekly.

That said, usage patterns vary dramatically depending on where you live. 

In the UK, users spend 49+ hours monthly on TikTok. 

Americans aren't far behind, seeing they spend nearly 46 hours per month on TikTok. Mexicans rank 3rd in TikTok screen time (45 hours).

Even in countries with the ‘lowest’ usage, people still spend nearly an entire day each month on the app. 

Swiss users, for example, still dedicate almost 28 hours monthly to TikTok.

Top 10 countries TikTok screen time (highest average hours per month)

Bottom 10 countries TikTok screen time (lowest average hours per month)

How much does an average session on TikTok last?

The average user now checks the app at least 19 times daily. That's practically once every waking hour.

More impressively, when people open TikTok, they stay there. According to 2019 data from Statista, the average TikTok session lasts nearly 11 minutes, which blows the competition out of the water.

That's right. People spend more than twice as long on TikTok per session compared to Pinterest and almost #4X longer than on Instagram.

At the country level, Israelis and Belgians are the most frequent TikTok openers since they check the app more than 440 times per month. That's about 15 times daily.

Even in countries with ‘lower’ usage rates like Japan, users still open TikTok 157 times monthly (more than 5 times per day).

Time spent on TikTok vs. other social media apps

Users clearly have preferences despite using 6.7 social media platforms on average. 

For instance, in the US, TikTok receives 32% of all social media time, while Facebook and Instagram each account for 20%. 

When you do the math, people spend almost 2X as much time on TikTok as they do on Instagram and 40 times more than on LinkedIn. 

Here’s what that looks like in hours and minutes:

Time spent on TikTok statistics by age

TikTok might be for everyone, but not everyone uses it equally. 

The younger the users are, the more time they likely spend scrolling through TikTok. 

For example, users aged 18-24 watch almost an hour of TikTok content daily, while those over 65 barely spend 3 minutes on the app.

Usage decreases substantially with each age group. 

By the time users reach 35, they spend a third of the time on TikTok compared to Gen Z users.

How long do children and teens spend on TikTok?

Globally, children and teens aged 11-17 spend about 75 minutes daily on TikTok.

American kids are the heaviest users, averaging 87 minutes daily on TikTok. British children use it slightly fewer times (70 minutes per day).

What are users doing on TikTok?

Like most other social media apps, TikTok users are simply looking for something funny or entertaining to watch. 

However, TikTok has matured beyond just comedy clips. 

In fact, nearly half of all users intentionally follow brands or research products directly on the app. 

TikTok has also become a legitimate news source for many since 39% use it to stay informed about current events.

Should you advertise on TikTok?

Definitely. 

TikTok offers a potential reach of 1.56 billion users for your ads. More importantly, 44.9% of these users actively use TikTok to follow or research brands and products.

Unlike platforms where ads feel intrusive, TikTok users often engage with branded videos as naturally as with any other content. Therefore, TikTok is a must-use channel for your advertising.

FAQs

Takeaway

If you're marketing to anyone under 35, these time spent on TikTok statistics tell you everything you need to know. 

The platform has become the primary app where your audience spends their time. Users give TikTok 34 hours monthly, and nearly half of them actively check out brands while scrolling.

They also stay engaged for almost 11 minutes per session, far longer than any other social app. 

TikTok is no longer a silly entertainment app but a serious marketing channel you can use to your business’s advantage. 

Put simply, if your competitors are on TikTok and you're not, you're leaving money on the table.

Sources

1. Statista. Average Weekly Time Spent on TikTok Worldwide.
2. We Are Social. Digital 2024 Global Report
3. Music Business Worldwide. TikTok Users Watch the App for an Average of 89 Minutes per Day
4. Statista. US TikTok Users' Time Spent on Social Media Apps.
5. Oberlo. Average Time Spent on TikTok
6. Qustodio. Kids and Apps Annual Report