A new study has found that Australians spend an average of 5.5 hours a day on their phones – but Gen Zers spend the most time on their mobiles, at 7.3 hours a day.
Many of us find it hard to go very long without looking at phones and other types of screens these days, which is exactly how the big tech companies like it, but too much screen time has accompanying health costs.
So what to do if you’re concerned?
Kim Anenberg Cavallo is the Executive Director and co-founder of Unplug Collaborative, home to the National Day of Unplugging.
She says the secret to cutting down on screen time is to ‘create an engaging, tech-free zone in your home where screens are non-existent and mobile devices will not follow you. Fill that space with analog games, puzzles, books and magazines and any creative projects you are eager to do,’ said Ms Anenberg Cavallo.
‘It’s easier to leave technology behind when you have something fun and meaningful to engage in,’ she said.
For those who rely on screens for work, socialising and pretty much everything else, it may not be so easy.
The survey suggests tech addiction is largely determined by age.
By the numbers
According to the report:
- Gen Zers spend the most time on their phone every day (7.3 hours).
- Millennials spend 6.7 hours a day on their phone.
- Gen Xers spend 6 hours a day on their phone.
- Baby Boomers only spend 2.9 hours a day on their phone.
- The average Australian will spend 145,800 hours on their phone in a lifetime.
Methodology of study
1,000 Australians were surveyed about their mobile phone screen time. That was factored in to the average number of years that individuals own a smartphone, then compared to current average life expectancies, and calculated against the average number of waking hours.
Rethinking that unlimited data plan yet?
