79+ Screen Time Statistics for Kids and Teens (2025) + Tips to Reduce It

Screens are winning. Kids aren’t just using them – they are living in them. TikTok dances in the kitchen, Minecraft marathons before bed, YouTube deep dives that turn 5 minutes into an hour. Even schoolwork happens on a screen now, so good luck figuring out where “learning” ends and “just one more video” begins.

Parents try limits. Apps send reminders. Wi-Fi mysteriously “glitches” when things get out of hand. But kids are 3 steps ahead and the numbers prove it. Screen time is skyrocketing and it is changing everything.

Now you can’t cut screens completely. That ship sailed when kindergarteners started FaceTiming their friends. But balance is possible. With the right approach, screen time stops being a black hole and starts being something that works for kids, not against them.

And that is only possible if you know how things are turning out to be. This article breaks it all down. The screen time statistics, the impact, and the strategies that actually help. Because understanding the problem is the first step to fixing it.

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Statistics About Screen Time by Age

1. Children aged 8-12 spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes daily on screen media.​

2. Teens aged 13-18 average about 7 hours and 22 minutes of daily screen time.​

3. Adults aged 18-24 (older Gen Z) spend approximately 9 hours per day on screens.​

4. Adults aged 25-34 (younger Millennials) average around 6 hours and 42 minutes of screen time daily.​

5. Adults aged 35-44 (older Millennials and younger Gen X) spend about 6 hours daily on screens.​

6. Adults aged 45-54 (older Gen X) average 5 hours and 30 minutes of screen time each day.​

7. Adults aged 55-64 (Baby Boomers) spend approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes daily on screens.​

8. Seniors aged 65+ average around 4 hours of screen time per day.​

9. Children under 2 years are exposed to screens for about 49 minutes daily.​

10. Preschoolers aged 2-4 spend approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes on screens each day.​

11. Children aged 5-7 have an average daily screen time of 3 hours and 30 minutes.​

12. Tweens aged 11-13 spend about 5 hours and 30 minutes daily on screens.

Statistics on Screen Time by Country

13. South Africa leads globally with an average daily screen time of 9 hours and 24 minutes.​

14. Brazil follows with an average of 9 hours and 13 minutes of screen time per day.​

15. The Philippines records an average daily screen time of 10 hours and 27 minutes.​

16. Thailand averages 9 hours and 11 minutes of daily screen time.​

17. Colombia reports an average of 9 hours and 9 minutes of screen time each day.​

18. The United States has an average daily screen time of 7 hours and 3 minutes.​

19. The United Kingdom averages 6 hours and 26 minutes of screen time per day.​

20. India reports an average daily screen time of 6 hours and 36 minutes.​

21. Japan has a lower average, with 4 hours and 30 minutes of daily screen time.​

22. Germany averages 5 hours and 2 minutes of screen time per day.​

23. Canada reports an average daily screen time of 6 hours and 45 minutes.​

24. Australia averages 6 hours and 13 minutes of screen time each day.

Social Media Screen Time Usage Statistics by Platform

25. People typically spend around 58 minutes a day on Facebook.

26. Instagram users dedicate an average of 53 minutes daily to the app.

27. On Snapchat, users engage for roughly 49 minutes each day.

28. TikTok users spend about 52 minutes on the platform every day.

29. Twitter users log in for an estimated 34 minutes per day.

30. YouTube viewers consume around 40 minutes of content daily.

31. LinkedIn members spend approximately 17 minutes per day on the site.

32. Pinterest users browse for an average of 14 minutes daily.

33. Reddit users engage for roughly 34 minutes each day.

34. WhatsApp users spend about 28 minutes on the app daily.

35. WeChat users remain active for an estimated 77 minutes per day.

36. Tumblr visitors average around 10 minutes of daily usage.

37. Discord users typically spend 80 minutes per day on the platform.

Gaming Screen Time Statistics

38. Gamers worldwide spend an average of 1 hour and 12 minutes daily playing video games.​

39. U.S. gamers average about 1 hour and 27 minutes of daily gameplay.​

40. Teenagers aged 13-18 spend approximately 2 hours daily on gaming.​

41. Children aged 8-12 average 1 hour and 30 minutes of gaming each day.​

42. Male gamers spend about 1 hour and 45 minutes daily playing video games.​

43. Female gamers average 1 hour and 20 minutes of daily gameplay.​

44. Mobile gaming accounts for 33% of all gaming time.​

45. Console gaming comprises 39% of total gaming time.​

46. PC gaming makes up 28% of overall gaming time.​

47. Gamers aged 18-25 spend an average of 2 hours and 15 minutes daily on gaming.​

48. Gamers aged 26-35 average 1 hour and 45 minutes of gameplay per day.

Gen Z Screen Time Statistics

49. Gen Z spends close to 9 hours a day on screens, roughly 2 hours more than the average American.

50. On average, Gen Z logs about 9 hours of screen time daily, exceeding the 7-hour, 4-minute average for Americans in 2024.

51. Gen Z watches about 7.2 hours of video content each day, an hour more than Gen X’s 6.3 hours.

52. Gen Z spends roughly 6 hours and 27 minutes on their phones daily.

53. On average, Gen Z spends more than 6 hours a day using their phones.

54. Most Gen Z individuals get between 6 and 7 hours of screen time outside of school or work.

55. With nearly 9 hours of screen time daily, Gen Z surpasses both US and global averages by about 2 hours.

56. The typical Gen Z individual spends around 7 hours and 18 minutes on screens each day.

57. Gen Z’s daily screen time hovers around 9 hours.

58. Media consumption takes up about 6.6 hours of Gen Z’s day.

59. On average, Gen Z watches 7.2 hours of video content every day.

60. Gen Z’s screen time averages 7 hours and 18 minutes per day.

Millennials Screen Time Statistics

61. Millennials spend approximately 6 hours and 42 minutes per day on screens. ​

62. Millennials spend around 6 hours and 42 minutes per day on screens. ​

63. Millennials average 205 minutes (approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes) of screen time per day. ​

64. Millennials average 205 minutes a day on screens. ​

65. Millennials average 6 hours and 42 minutes of daily screen time. ​

66. Millennials spend an average of 6 hours and 42 minutes per day on screens. ​

67. Millennials average 6 hours and 42 minutes of screen time daily. ​

68. Millennials spend around 6 hours and 42 minutes daily on screens. ​

69. Millennials average 6 hours and 42 minutes of screen time per day. ​

70. Millennials spend approximately 6 hours and 42 minutes daily on screens. ​

71. Millennials average 205 minutes of screen time per day. ​

72. Millennials average 205 minutes a day on screens. ​

Screen Time and Mental Health Statistics

73. Teenagers aged 12-17 who have at least 4 hours of daily screen time report higher rates of anxiety symptoms. ​

74. 79% of people report that screen time keeps them awake at least 3 nights per week. ​

75. Gen Z’s screen time has the greatest impact on their sleep, keeping them awake at least 3 nights a week on average. ​

76. 66% of Gen Z feel they consume too much media. ​

77. 33% of Americans are unwilling to continue subscriptions if prices rise by 10%, indicating dissatisfaction with media consumption costs. ​

78. 42% of Americans feel overwhelmed by excessive media consumption. ​

79. Nearly a third of Gen Z reports stress and anxiety from doom-scrolling and online comparisons. ​

80. 39% of Gen Z rate their mental health as below average, with frequent social media use contributing to this assessment.

How to Reduce Screen Time Among Kids & Teens: 5 Proven Strategies

It is easy for kids and teens to get lost in their screens for hours. But excessive screen time can lead to sleep issues, reduced attention spans, and even social disconnection. Here are 5 proven strategies to cut back without resistance.

1. Use XNSPY

XNSPY is a parental monitoring app that offers a practical solution for parents and individuals looking to manage and reduce screen time effectively. Here’s how:

App and Website Monitoring

XNSPY allows parents to track which apps and websites their children spend the most time on and what type of content they are consuming. By identifying excessive usage of social media, gaming apps, or streaming platforms, parents can set boundaries and encourage healthier screen habits.

App Blocking and Restrictions

With XNSPY, parents can remotely block specific apps that contribute to excessive screen time. For instance, if a child is spending too much time on TikTok or Instagram, parents can restrict access during study hours or bedtime.

Location-Based Monitoring

Screen addiction often leads to a sedentary lifestyle. XNSPY’s location tracking feature ensures that children are spending time outdoors rather than being glued to screens indoors.

Call and Message Monitoring

If screen time is driven by excessive texting or calls, XNSPY helps monitor communication activity. This allows parents to address potential distractions and guide children toward balanced usage.

Screen Recording for Awareness

Parents can capture real-time screen activity to understand how their kids are spending their time online. This helps in having informed discussions about screen time habits and necessary adjustments.

2. Establish Clear Screen Time Rules and Routines

• Set daily screen time limits for different activities, such as entertainment, education, and communication.
• Use a family screen time contract outlining rules like no screens during meals or before bedtime.
• Encourage tech-free zones, such as bedrooms or dining areas, to minimize unnecessary screen exposure.

3. Encourage Alternative Activities

• Replace screen time with engaging offline activities like outdoor sports, board games, or creative hobbies (drawing, puzzles, or music).
• Schedule family outings and activities to naturally reduce dependence on screens.
• Introduce reading challenges or DIY projects to shift focus from digital entertainment.

4. Set a Good Example as Parents

• Reduce your own screen time to model healthy habits.
• Prioritize face-to-face conversations instead of texting or using social media in front of kids.
• Encourage mindful screen use by demonstrating how to balance online and offline activities.

5. Introduce a Reward-Based System

• Implement a screen-time budget where kids earn minutes for completing offline activities like reading, exercising, or chores.
• Offer incentives for staying under the daily screen limit, such as extra playtime, a special outing, or choosing a weekend activity.
• Gamify the process by setting weekly challenges – like “Go 24 hours without social media” and reward success.