Brits’ Staggering Daily Screen Time: How Does Your Smartphone Use Measure Up?
Brits Spend Over 3 Hours Daily on Phones, Fueling Generational Screen-Time Divide
Britons now spend an average of 3 hours and 21 minutes daily on their phones—a dramatic rise from just 1 hour 17 minutes in 2015, according to a survey of 6,416 adults by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA). Total daily screen time (phones, TVs, computers) has surged to 7 hours 27 minutes, up 51 minutes from a decade ago, revealing a stark generational split in media habits.
Average UK screen time now includes 3+ hours on phones and 3+ hours watching TV (Stock Image).
Gen Z vs. Older Adults: Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
- Ages 15–24: Spend 4 hours 49 minutes daily on phones, primarily on social media.
- Ages 65–74: Use phones just 1 hour 47 minutes but watch TV for 4 hours 40 minutes.
“Mobile phones are now central to how we consume content, connect, and unwind—always on, always within reach,” says IPA’s Dan Flynn. For the first time in 20 years, phone use has surpassed TV time, marking a “milestone” in media habits.
Round-the-Clock Phone Dependency
Phones dominate throughout the day, dipping only during sleep hours. TV peaks post-work, while computer use aligns with the 9–5 grind. Nearly half of mobile time is spent on social media and messaging apps.
Teens increasingly face mental health risks linked to social media (Stock Image).
Rising Concerns Over Social Media
Excessive social media use is tied to poor mental health, sleep issues, and cyberbullying among youth. Ofcom plans stricter rules under the Online Safety Act, penalizing platforms exposing minors to harmful content (self-harm, eating disorders, etc.). Campaigners urge phone bans for teens, while Tech Secretary Peter Kyle proposes 2-hour daily social media curfews—though experts doubt their effectiveness.
Emotional Toll of Screen Time
- TV viewers feel 52% more relaxed vs. mobile users.
- Phone users are 55% more likely to feel stressed.
“Comparing TV and phone time is like comparing flossing to piano practice,” says Thinkbox CEO Lindsey Clay. “What’s chilling is toxic social media’s role in the youth mental health crisis.”
Keeping Kids Safe Online: Quick Tips
- Parental controls: Use iOS Screen Time or Android’s Family Link.
- Open dialogue: Discuss online safety and responsible usage.
- Limit screen time: WHO recommends ≤1 hour/day for young children.
Most UK children get phones by age 10–11, coinciding with social media activity (Stock Image).
As screen time reshapes daily life, balancing connectivity with well-being remains a pressing challenge.
