Countries around the world ranked by average screen time

Screen addiction may not be taken seriously because it appears that almost everyone around us is at least somewhat addicted to their screens. Excessive screen time affects individuals of all ages and nationalities, as the instant dopamine reward system can tempt any brain. You would be hard-pressed to find someone not at risk of being lured by social media, video games, television and the internet. Regardless, some demographics are at a higher risk of susceptibility to abundant screen time.

Our team at Ooma has gathered data spanning 49 countries to examine the average amount of time people aged 16-64 spend looking at their screens on a daily basis. Ooma also looked at which countries have seen an increase or decrease in total screen time over a period of five years.

Nearly 10 hours a day are spent staring at screens per user in South Africa, the highest of any recorded nation here. Typically, screen time will gradually lessen as people age. Younger adults aged 18-34 have significantly more screen time daily than those above 65. Countries with a younger median age will have a higher screen-time average per day when contrasted with countries with higher median ages. South Africa, for example, has a median age of 30.4 years. This age is much lower compared to Japan, which is ranked last out of the 49 listed countries for screen time usage, with a median age of 49.9 years.

A pattern can also be seen between economic development and screen time. If there is little access to digital technology in a country or sections of it, screen time will be low. However, economically-developed countries also seem to taper off-screen time usage. The higher the income among residents, the shorter the screen time. Individuals with high incomes can access a wider range of entertainment outside the screen, such as restaurants, theaters, competitive sports, concerts and other luxuries.

The rankings for nations with the highest screen time are almost entirely dominated by countries amid economic development, such as Brazil, the Philippines, Colombia, Argentina and South Africa. There exists a middle ground, where most of the population has access to screens in some form but typically a lower income than residents from developed nations. Lower incomes correlate with high screen time usage because phones, tablets and computers are an inexpensive and accessible form of entertainment.

How much screen time is too much?

The rise of digital technology has also led to unhealthy amounts of screen time, which is understood to have adverse effects on children, adolescents and adults alike. Since the prefrontal cortex fully matures around the age of 25, adults are naturally better equipped to navigate a digital world. However, that does not mean adults have a pass to spend all day on their screens and come away unaffected. It only means that adults are less likely to suffer severe consequences if they do suffer consequences at all.

Though there isn’t as much research on the effects on adults as on children, there are known potential side effects that apply to everyone, regardless of age. Obsessive internet usage is associated with a higher likelihood of sleep disruptions due to inhibiting melatonin production and increased adrenaline from texting, television or gaming. It leads to a higher risk of moderate-to-severe depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health problems. Overindulgent screen time is also linked to higher rates of obesity since more time spent on screens means less time spent participating in something active.

For adolescents, the vast majority of their screen time is spent on smartphones, as opposed to the more diverse usage among young adults. Diminished self-esteem, mental well-being, overall satisfaction with life, and increased feelings of loneliness are consequences faced by many children and teens. It can lead to sensory overload and cause the nervous system to be overstimulated, which means that children could have issues regulating their emotions. The passive consumption that comes with passive digital technology means that active learning is not taking place, and so children have fewer opportunities for critical thinking and developing social skills.

Efforts to moderate screen time

Social media platforms like TikTok, along with the U.S. Surgeon General and legislators, are pushing for time restrictions for minors to mitigate the impact of the internet and social media. TikTok and Instagram, for example, have a time limit of 60 minutes per day for minors. It’s worth noting that while most social media platforms already have a minimum age restriction requiring the user to be 13 and up, age verification is as simple as inputting the date of birth and checking a box. In other words, faking the minimum age requirement is easy for even the youngest child who can access the internet. As a result, some parents are pushing for stricter verification methods.

For parents with young children or adult children with elderly parents, there are options to avoid issues with screen time altogether. Reducing the number of screens in the home while retaining will aid in promoting imagination and creative thinking in children. Another good habit to initiate is screen-free periods, such as during meals or bedtime, which will help the brain and body decompress from feeling “online” so often. Learn how to do a digital detox and reduce screen time at home.

Countries ranked by average daily screen time

Which countries have seen an increase or decrease in the average daily screen time over the past 5 years?

Countries where the average daily screen time has increased over the past 5 years

Countries where the average daily screen time has decreased over the past 5 years

*Romania’s daily screen time comparison is based on data from 2020, as the country was not included in the 2019 report.

The following countries were not included in the daily screen time report from 2019 (or 2020) to include in the comparison: Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, Israel and Norway.