A new study from Ooma sheds light on the global phenomenon of screen addiction, ranking 49 countries by average daily screen time for individuals aged 16 to 64. South Africa leads with an average of 10 hours per day, followed by Brazil, the Philippines, and Colombia. The data highlights several trends, including the influence of age, income, and development on screen habits. Read more here.
Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, spend the most time in front of screens. While this demographic is especially vulnerable to negative effects such as disrupted sleep, ADHD, depression, and obesity, the study emphasizes that screen time impacts all age groups to varying degrees. Interestingly, less developed nations report lower screen time due to limited access to digital technology, while affluent individuals in more developed countries tend to have reduced screen use, likely because they can afford alternative forms of entertainment.
The study also identified shifts in screen time over the past five years. Countries like Russia, Australia, and South Africa saw the largest increases, while nations such as Thailand, the Philippines, and India experienced the greatest decreases. These findings suggest that access to technology and shifting lifestyles significantly shape global screen habits.
Despite the known health risks, screen addiction remains a widespread issue. Ooma’s data not only reveals the countries with the highest screen use but also encourages reflection on the societal and individual implications of our digital habits.
