Time spend on social media and mobile phones

 

In the quiet hum of a coffee shop, Santoshi, a 25-year-old graphic designer, sits with her coffee, her thumb flicking across her smartphone screen. She’s not alone in this place. Across the room, a teenager scrolls through insta reels, a businessman checks shares, and a retiree is busy at a WhatsApp meme. The glow of screens has become a universal thread, weaving through our daily lives, connecting us to the world while subtly reshaping how we spend our time.

A decade ago, the phrase “screen time” was usually used in our mobiles. Studies paint a vivid picture: the average  adult spends about 4.5 hours a day on their smartphone, with social media gobbling up a hefty chunk—roughly 2 hours and 24 minutes, according to a 2024 report from Data.ai. For teens, the numbers climb even higher, with some surveys suggesting up to 7 hours daily on screens, much of it on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The numbers are staggering, but they only tell part of the story. What does this time mean, and how is it reshaping the way we live?

For Santoshi, her phone is a portal. Mornings begin with a quick scroll through X, where she catches up on news, hot takes, and the occasional viral video. “It’s like my morning paper, but faster and funnier,” she says with a smile. By midday, she’s on Instagram, liking posts from her individual clients and sharing her latest design sketches. Evenings might find her deep in a instagram thread about sustainable living or laughing at a friend’s Story on Snapchat. Her phone is a tool, a toy, a diary, and a stage, all in one sleek rectangle. But when she checks her screen time stats—4 hours, 37 minutes last week—she winces. “I didn’t realize it was that much,” she admits.

Santoshi is not alone in this double-edged relationship with her device. Dr. Aarpana Ghimire, a consultant psychiatrist specializing in digital behavior, explains that smartphones and social media are designed to keep us busy. “These platforms use algorithms that reward engagement with dopamine hits,” she says. “Every like, comment, or notification pulls us back in. It’s not accidental—it’s engineered.” The result? We’re spending more time than ever in digital spaces, often at the expense of other activities.  

For younger generations, the pull is even stronger. Take 16-year-old Sujeet, a high school sophomore in Bhaktapur. His day revolves around his phone: Snapchat to chat with friends, TikTok for trends, and Discord for gaming banter. “It’s how I stay connected,” he says. “If I’m not online, I’m out of the loop.” But his mom, Rama worries. “He’s glued to that thing,” she says. “I remember when we’d play board games or talk at dinner. Now, it’s like pulling teeth to get him off his phone.” Sujeet's screen time averages 6 hours a day, and while he insists it’s “normal,” Mother sees his grades slipping and his attention span fraying.

The impact isn’t just personal—it’s societal. Researchers point to rising rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among teens, correlating with heavy social media use. A 2022 study  found that adolescents spending more than 3 hours daily on social media were at higher risk for mental health issues, from low self-esteem to sleep disturbances. Yet, the same platforms offer upsides: connection, creativity, and community. 

Not everyone feels trapped by their screens. For Priya, a 42-year-old nurse and mother of two, social media is a lifeline. Working long shifts, she uses WhatsApp to stay close with her extended family . “I’d feel so isolated without it,” she says. She shares photos of her kids, video-calls her parents, and joins group chats with old school friends. Her phone time clocks in at 3 hours daily, but she sees it as time well spent. “It’s not wasted—it’s connection,” she says.

As we navigate this digital dance, the question isn’t just how much time we spend on our phones but what we’re giving up for it—and what we’re gaining. For Santoshi, it’s a creative outlet and a way to stay informed. For Sujeet, it’s a social hub. For Priya, it’s family. But for all of them, it’s a balancing act, one where the line between connection and consumption blurs. As screens light up our lives, they also cast shadows, reminding us to pause, look up, and decide how we want to spend our time.

The amount of time spent on social media and mobile phones varies significantly from person to person and can be influenced by factors like age, lifestyle, and personal preferences. On average, studies suggest that people spend about 2 to 3 hours per day on social media platforms, though this can be higher for certain age groups (e.g., younger users or teenagers) or individuals who use social media for work, business, or entertainment.

The time people spend on social media has become a major point of discussion over the years, as it has become deeply integrated into our daily lives. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now X), TikTok, and Snapchat are not just for connecting with friends anymore—they are essential tools for information, entertainment, business, and self-expression. Let’s explore the evolution and impact of social media usage over time.

The time spent on social media continues to increase, reflecting its deep integration into our personal, professional, and social lives. While it offers numerous benefits—like connecting with others, learning new things, and building communities—it also presents challenges, such as its potential negative effects on mental health and productivity. As we move forward, it will be important to find a balance, using social media in a way that enhances our lives without taking over them.

As the technology advances and new platforms emerge, people will need to stay mindful of how much time they spend on these platforms, ensuring that their social media use remains positive and purposeful.

Edited by: John Shah