Alarming Average Screen Time Statistics (2025)
In 2025, people around the world are spending more time than ever in front of screens. Whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment, the daily screen time has reached alarming levels. On average, many individuals now spend over 6 to 9 hours a day using devices like phones, computers, or TVs. The average screen time [ ]
In 2025, people around the world are spending more time than ever in front of screens. Whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment, the daily screen time has reached alarming levels. On average, many individuals now spend over 6 to 9 hours a day using devices like phones, computers, or TVs. The average screen time as of Q3 2024 worldwide is 6 hours and 38 minutes. This growing trend raises concerns about its impact on our health, sleep, and overall well-being. In this article, we are going to take an in-depth look at Average Screen Time in 2025 and explore how it differs by country, age group, and device, and understand what these numbers mean for our everyday lives.
Average Screen Time Globally
Average screen time around the world has changed a bit over the years. In Q3 2013, people spent about 6 hours and 9 minutes per day on screens. This slowly increased over time, reaching the highest point in Q3 2021 at 6 hours and 58 minutes. After that, screen time dropped to 6 hours and 31 minutes in Q3 2022, which was the biggest yearly drop. Since then, it has gone up slightly, reaching 6 hours and 38 minutes in Q3 2024. Overall, screen time has stayed high, showing how much we rely on digital devices in our daily lives.
| Year | Average Screen Time | Annual Change |
| Q3 2013 | 6 hours and 9 minutes | N/A |
| Q3 2014 | 6 hours and 23 minutes | 3.8% |
| Q3 2015 | 6 hours and 20 minutes | 0.8% |
| Q3 2016 | 6 hours and 29 minutes | 2.4% |
| Q3 2017 | 6 hours and 46 minutes | 4.4% |
| Q3 2018 | 6 hours and 48 minutes | 0.5% |
| Q3 2019 | 6 hours and 38 minutes | 2.5% |
| Q3 2020 | 6 hours and 54 minutes | 4% |
| Q3 2021 | 6 hours and 58 minutes | 1% |
| Q3 2022 | 6 hours and 31 minutes | 6.5% |
| Q3 2023 | 6 hours and 36 minutes | 1.3% |
| Q3 2024 | 6 hours and 38 minutes | 0.5% |
Average Screen Time in the U.S
In the U.S., the average daily screen time on internet-connected devices is around 6 hours and 40 minutes, which is slightly higher than the global average of 6 hours and 38 minutes. Over the past few years, screen time in the U.S. has slightly decreased from its peak of 7 hours and 4 minutes in 2021. Data shows that adults in the U.S. (ages 18 and above) spend nearly 60 hours a week about 8 hours and 34 minutes per day using media. This includes watching TV, browsing the internet, and using apps or websites on smartphones and tablets. From 2017 to 2024, screen time has steadily risen, peaked during the pandemic, and then slightly declined, showing how digital habits continue to shift.
| Year | U.S Average Screen Time |
| Q2 – Q3 2017 | 6 hours and 30 minutes |
| Q2 – Q3 2018 | 6 hours and 31 minutes |
| Q3 2019 | 6 hours and 42 minutes |
| Q3 2020 | 7 hours and 11 minutes |
| Q3 2021 | 7 hours and 4 minutes |
| Q3 2022 | 6 hours and 59 minutes |
| Q3 2023 | 7 hours and 3 minutes |
| Q3 2024 | 6 hours and 40 minutes |
Average Screen Time of Americans based on Media
On average, American adults spend about 8 hours and 34 minutes each day using various forms of media. The biggest share goes to TV, with 4 hours and 37 minutes of daily viewing. This is followed by smartphone usage (apps and websites), which takes up 2 hours and 21 minutes per day. Internet browsing on computers accounts for 42 minutes daily, while video watching on computers adds another 17 minutes. Tablet usage, including apps and web browsing, takes up around 37 minutes daily. Altogether, this adds up to nearly 60 hours of screen time each week, reflecting the deep role media plays in Americans’ everyday lives.
| Media Type | Weekly Screen Time | Daily Screen Time |
| Total use of TV | 32 hours 18 minutes | 4 hours 37 minutes |
| Internet on a computer | 4 hours 56 minutes | 42 minutes |
| Video on a computer | 1 hour 59 minutes | 17 minutes |
| App/web on a smartphone | 16 hours 24 minutes | 2 hours 21 minutes |
| App/web on a tablet | 4 hours 19 minutes | 37 minutes |
| Total | 59 hours 56 minutes | 8 hours 34 minutes |
Screen Habits in the U.S vs the Rest of the World
In the United States, 91.6% of people stream content on their TVs and 80.9% play video games. On average, Americans spend about 1 hour and 27 minutes a day playing games and 2 hours and 14 minutes on social media. Compared to the global average, slightly more people worldwide stream TV (93.5%) and play video games (83.6%). However, globally, people spend a bit less time gaming (1 hour and 12 minutes) but slightly more time on social media (2 hours and 27 minutes) each day.
| Country | Proportion Streaming on TV | Proportion Playing Video Games | Daily Time Spent on Video Games | Daily Time Spent on Social Media |
| U.S | 91.6% | 80.9% | 1 hour 27 minutes | 2 hours and 14 minutes |
| Global Average | 93.5% | 83.6% | 1 hour 12 minutes | 2 hours and 27 minutes |
Average Screen Time by Region
People in different countries spend varying amounts of time on screens each day. South Africa has the highest average screen time at 9 hours and 37 minutes, with over 5 hours spent on mobile devices and about 4.5 hours on computers. Brazil and the Philippines follow closely, with screen time over 8.5 hours daily. Countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Chile also see high screen use, mostly balanced between phones and computers. On the other hand, places like the UAE and Thailand have slightly lower screen times around 8 hours or less. Overall, the global average screen time is 6 hours and 38 minutes per day, with most of that time (about 3 hours and 46 minutes) spent on mobile phones.
| Country | Total Screen Time | Mobile Screen Time | Computer Screen Time |
| South Africa | 9 hours and 37 minutes | 5 hours and 11 minutes | 4 hours and 26 minutes |
| Brazil | 9 hours and 9 minutes | 5 hours and 12 minutes | 3 hours and 57 minutes |
| Philippines | 8 hours and 52 minutes | 5 hours and 21 minutes | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Chile | 8 hours and 45 minutes | 5 hours and 21 minutes | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Colombia | 8 hours and 44 minutes | 4 hours and 47 minutes | 3 hours and 57 minutes |
| Argentina | 8 hours and 44 minutes | 4 hours and 40 minutes | 4 hours and 4 minutes |
| Russia | 8 hours and 38 minutes | 4 hours and 7 minutes | 4 hours and 31 minutes |
| Malaysia | 8 hours and 38 minutes | 4 hours and 7 minutes | 4 hours and 31 minutes |
| UAE | 7 hours and 59 minutes | 4 hours and 27 minutes | 3 hours and 32 minutes |
| Thailand | 7 hours and 54 minutes | 5 hours | 2 hours and 54 minutes |
| Global Average | 6 hours and 38 minutes | 3 hours and 46 minutes | 2 hours and 52 minutes |
Global Average Screen Use from Q3 2022 to Q3 2023
From 2022 to 2023, global screen habits shifted slightly. Time spent using the internet went up a little from 6 hours and 37 minutes to 6 hours and 40 minutes daily (a 0.8% increase). However, people watched less TV, with daily viewing dropping from 3 hours and 23 minutes to 3 hours and 6 minutes an 8.2% decrease. Social media use also went down slightly by 5.5%, from 2 hours and 31 minutes to 2 hours and 23 minutes per day. The biggest change was in gaming, where time on game consoles dropped by 16.7%, going from 1 hour and 14 minutes to just over an hour daily.
| Screen Time Allocation (Globally) | Q3 2022 | Q3 2023 | 2022-2023 Change |
| Using internet | 6 hours and 37 minutes | 6 hours and 40 minutes | 0.8% |
| Watching TV | 3 hours and 23 minutes | 3 hours and 6 minutes | 8.2% |
| Using Social Media Platforms | 2 hours and 31 minutes | 2 hours and 23 minutes | 5.5% |
| Using a Game Console | 1 hour and 14 minutes | 1 hour and 2 minutes | 16.7% |
Comparing Screen Time Spent on Video Games vs Social Media Across Countries
People around the world spend different amounts of time on video games and social media each day. On average, people globally spend about 2 hours and 23 minutes playing video games and 1 hour and 2 minutes on social media. In Brazil and Argentina, gaming time is especially high. Brazil tops the list with nearly 4 hours of gaming each day. The Philippines also shows strong gaming habits, with over 2 hours spent daily, even though social media use there is quite low at just 30 minutes. On the other hand, countries like Russia and Colombia have shorter gaming sessions, under 2 hours daily, and also spend less than 35 minutes on social media. Interestingly, countries like Chile, Malaysia, and UAE are close to the global average for both activities, showing a more balanced digital lifestyle.
| Country | Daily Time Spent on Video Games | Daily Time Spent on Social Media |
| South Africa | 1 hour and 43 minutes | 52 minutes |
| Brazil | 3 hours and 46 minutes | 1 hour and 17 minutes |
| Philippines | 2 hours and 16 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Colombia | 1 hour and 53 minutes | 28 minutes |
| Argentina | 3 hours and 15 minutes | 1 hour and 1 minute |
| Chile | 1 hour and 59 minutes | 1 hour and 12 minute |
| Russia | 1 hour and 11 minutes | 32 minutes |
| Malaysia | 2 hours and 15 minutes | 1 hour and 2 minute |
| UAE | 2 hours and 58 minutes | 1 hour and 17 minute |
| Egypt | 1 hour and 41 minutes | 51 minutes |
| Global Average | 2 hours and 23 minutes | 1 hour and 2 minute |
Average Screen Time by Age Group
Screen time tends to go down as people get older. Among younger age groups, both females and males spend a lot of time on screens. For example, people aged 16 to 24 spend over 7 hours a day, with females using screens slightly more than males. This pattern continues in the 25 to 34 age group, where screen time remains high. As age increases, screen time gradually decreases. By the 65 and older group, screen use drops to around 4 hours a day, with men using screens just a bit less than women. Overall, younger people spend the most time on screens, and women generally spend slightly more time than men across most age groups.
| Age Group | Female | Male |
| 16 to 24 | 7 hours and 35 minutes | 7 hours and 11 minutes |
| 25 to 34 | 7 hours and 17 minutes | 7 hours and 13 minutes |
| 35 to 44 | 6 hours and 43 minutes | 6 hours and 37 minutes |
| 45 to 54 | 6 hours and 7 minutes | 6 hours and 4 minutes |
| 55 to 64 | 5 hours and 18 minutes | 5 hours and 21 minutes |
| 65+ | 4 hours and 7 minutes | 3 hours and 59 minutes |
Screen Time Among Children and Teenagers in the U.S.
Screen time among children aged 8 to 12 (tweens) in the U.S. has increased steadily over the years. In 2021, the average entertainment screen time for this age group reached 5 hours and 33 minutes per day. This includes watching TV, online videos, using social media, browsing websites, reading e-books, and creating digital content. Back in 2015, tweens spent around 4 hours and 36 minutes on screens daily, which grew slightly to 4 hours and 44 minutes in 2019 before rising sharply by 2021. This trend shows that entertainment-related screen use is becoming a bigger part of kids’ daily lives as technology becomes more accessible and integrated into everyday routines.
| Year | Screen Time among 8 to 12 years old |
| 2015 | 4 hours and 36 minutes |
| 2019 | 4 hours and 44 minutes |
| 2021 | 5 hours and 33 minutes |
Screen Time Per Day among 8 years to 12 years old
Between 2019 and 2021, screen time among U.S. kids aged 8 to 12 increased, with more children spending longer hours on screens each day. In 2019, only 15% of kids in this age group spent more than 8 hours a day on screens. By 2021, that number had jumped to 20%. Meanwhile, the percentage of kids using screens for 2 hours or less slightly decreased from 26% to 24%. Those spending between 4 to 8 hours also rose slightly from 26% to 27%. Fewer kids reported no screen time at all dropping from 8% in 2019 to just 5% in 2021.
| Screen Time Per Day | 2019 | 2021 |
| None | 8% | 5% |
| 2 hours or less | 26% | 24% |
| 2 hours and 1 minute to 4 hours | 25% | 23% |
| 4 hours and 1 minute to 8 hours | 26% | 27% |
| More than 8 hours | 15% | 20% |
Screen Time among 13 to 18 years old spend on Entertainment
Entertainment screen time among teenagers aged 13 to 18 in the U.S. has seen a steady increase over the years. In 2015, teens spent an average of 6 hours and 40 minutes daily on entertainment-related screen activities. This went up to 7 hours and 22 minutes in 2019, and by 2021, it had jumped to 8 hours and 39 minutes per day. This includes time spent watching videos, browsing social media, gaming, and other non-school-related screen use.
| Year | Entertainment Screen Time among 13 to 18 years old |
| 2015 | 6 hours and 40 minutes |
| 2019 | 7 hours and 22 minutes |
| 2021 | 8 hours and 39 minutes |
Screen Time among Teenagers (2019 vs 2021)
Between 2019 and 2021, teenagers in the U.S. (ages 13–18) saw a noticeable increase in daily screen time. The percentage of teens spending more than 8 hours a day on screens rose sharply from 29% in 2019 to 41% in 2021. At the same time, those using screens for 2 hours or less dropped from 15% to just 7%. Even the mid-range categories saw declines fewer teens were spending between 2 to 8 hours daily compared to previous years. The number of teens with no screen time at all remained very low, just 3% in 2021.
| Screen Time Per Day | 2019 | 2021 |
| None | 4% | 3% |
| 2 hours or less | 15% | 7% |
| 2 hours 1 minute to 4 hours | 18% | 15% |
| 4 hours 1 minute to 8 hours | 33% | 24% |
| More than 8 hours | 29% | 41% |
Screen Time Among Children by Device Type
Children’s screen habits vary by age and device type. TV remains the most commonly used device across all age groups, with 93% of kids aged 5 to 8 and 91% of those aged 9 to 11 watching it. Even among the youngest group (0 to 2 years), 74% watch TV. Tablet use increases with age, starting at 35% for toddlers and reaching 81% among 5 to 8-year-olds. Smartphone use is also common, especially from age 3 onwards, with 67% of 9 to 11-year-olds using them. As kids grow older, they start using desktops/laptops and gaming devices more often by age 9 to 11, 73% use computers and 68% play video games. Overall, TV, tablets, and smartphones are the most used devices among children, with older kids showing more varied and frequent screen use.
| Age Group | TV | Tablet | Smartphone | Desktop/Laptop | Gaming |
| 0 to 2 years | 74% | 35% | 49% | 12% | 9% |
| 3 to 4 years | 90% | 64% | 62% | 21% | 25% |
| 5 to 8 years | 93% | 81% | 59% | 54% | 58% |
| 9 to 11 years | 91% | 78% | 67% | 73% | 68% |
| Total | 88% | 67% | 60% | 44% | 44% |
Conclusion
The rising average screen time in 2025 highlights how deeply digital devices have become part of our daily routines. While technology offers convenience, entertainment, and connection, excessive screen use also brings risks such as eye strain, sleep issues, and reduced physical activity. With the global average now nearing 7 hours a day, it’s clear that finding a healthy balance is more important than ever. By becoming more aware of our screen habits and making small, mindful changes, we can take better care of our health and well-being in a digital-first world.
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DataLook Team
Content Team at DataLook.io
Our team of AI researchers, data scientists, and industry experts bring you the latest insights and trends in artificial intelligence and data science.