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Technology Addiction: Real World Stats & Facts for 2024
Bytes & boundaries: A dive into digital reality
11 min. read
Updated onJanuary 8, 2024
updated onJanuary 8, 2024
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Technology is intertwined in every facet of our daily lives. Therefore, it is important to understand the criticality and consequences of technology addiction.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss some technology addiction facts and statistics and the harmful effects on people to empower you to foster a balanced relationship with technology.
What are the effects of technology addiction?
Statistics and Facts about Technology Addiction
In asurvey report published by Ani PetrosyanonNov 10, 2022,48%of internet users in the United States considered themselves addicted to one or the other digital devices.
In the U.K., an average person spends more time using an electronic device than sleeping, which is8 hours 41 mins, as per theAdults’ Media Use and Attitudes Report 2023 by Ofcom.
85%of Americans go online daily,31%are always in cyberspace,48%check their phones several times a day, and6%are online once a day.
33.33%oftechnology usersfind taking a break from it challenging.
ADataReportal report in 2023says that from total world population,5.19 billionpeople are internet users, i.e., approximately64.5%of the world’s population. Here are the details.
The number of people worldwide still unconnected to the Internet has dropped to2.85 billion, with the majority of people living in Africa, Southern & Eastern Asia.
468 millionpeople have internet addiction which is200 millionmore than drug users worldwide.
Smartphone impact on technology addiction- Latest statistics
95%of internet users worldwide use mobile phones to go online, accounting for57%of our online time and55 percentof web traffic.
If the total world internet users’ time using connected devices & services in2023is to be added, it equals12.5 trillion hoursof combined human existence.
The average daily usage of internet worldwide is6 hours and 40 minutes, which2.2%less than the daily average of last year.
Areport by GWI saysthat an average person globally spends2 hours and 26 minuteson social media every month.
Regarding smartphone usage, the top five countries areChinawith974.69 million,Indiawith659 million, theUnited Stateswith276.14 million,Brazilwith187.7 million&Russiawith106.44 million. Here are the other details:
A report in December 2022 by NDDC claimed that25-30%of drivers distracted due to smartphones were in fatal car crashes, and there were3142deaths and32,4652injured in the United States.
According to astudy by Asurion, Americans used to check their mobile devices96 times a dayin2019;a follow-up study in2022revealed the number has increased to352 times per day, i.e, once every2 mins and 43 seconds a dayif we exclude an average of 8 hours of sleeping time.
Gaming addiction statistics
There are3.09 billionactive video game users in the world. Here are the details with an estimated number of users for2024and the percentage of increase year on year:
67%of adults and76%of kids in the United States are video game players.
If we break down the players based on their age group, then the highest number of players, i.e,38%, are from the18-34age bracket.
41%of boys spent time playing video games and only11%of girls admit doing so.
Social media boosts technology addiction- Latest statistics
According to aDataReportal survey, there are4.76 billionsocial media users worldwide,60%of the total population.
The total percentage of males using the Internet is67.2%, and61.6%of females of the entire female population are recorded as internet users.
The average person spends2 -3 hours a dayon social media.
According to DataReportal, January 2023, TikTok is the most addictive social media app globally, with23.5 hours spent per month, followed closely by YouTube, with23.1 hours per month.Here are the details for other apps:
However, to be considered addicted to social media, a person has to spend21.5 hours per weekon it.
In the United States, nearly14 millionteens could be suffering from mild social media addiction.
In the United States, an average user spent55.8 minuteson TikTokin 2022, making it the most-used app in the region. Here are the details for all popularly used apps:
Thehighest social media usagewas recorded in thePhilippinesat4 hours and 12 mins, followed byBrazilat3 hours and 39 mins,Columbiaat3 hours and 34 mins, andNigeriaat3 hours and 26 mins.
Approximately40%of the total adult social media users exhibit slight symptoms of depression, and8.8%show severe signs.
54%of teens says it is challenging to give up social media.
Social media, mobile phones, and video games are critical contributors to internet addiction, but there are more; read this guide todetailed screen time statistics.
Technology addiction is prevalent in all age groups, with a significant focus on youth, as73%of users fall within the13 – 17age bracket, closely followed by71%in the18-24age group. Here are other details:
A study byCommon Sense Mediasays that American teenagers spend a staggering9 hours a daystreaming video, playing games, and listening to music.
The tweens (8-12 years) spend6 hourswith digital devices in 2021 apart from the schoolwork.
1 out of every 2 teens are addicted to their devices, and59%of parents feel that their children are addicted.
32%of teens and36%of parents admit to arguing about the device usage every day.
Increasing purchase of computers& other electronic devices and the rising dependency on them indicate that it’s high time to address the growing concern of addiction and its adverse effects on people.
The average screen time by country statistics showsSouth Africaleading with9 hours and 38 minutes, andJapanstill maintains its position at 3 hours and 45 minutes, whereas theUnited Statesat6 hours and 59 minutes.
This somewhat indicates technology addiction worldwide. Here is the latest data for all countries compared with the last year:
The average time spent has decreased for most countries exceptChina (5:25)and theNetherlands (05:27).
However, if we talk about thehighest number of Internet users,Chinais leading with1050 millionpeople, followed byIndia, with692 million, and theUnited States, with311.3 million.
Causes of Technology Addiction
Various social factors play a significant role in technology addiction; some of the common ones are:
These are not the only reasons; there are psychological factors that lead to the addiction; some of them are:
Signs & Symptoms of Technology Addiction
Treatment for Technology Addiction in 2023
What percentage of people overuse technology?
Roughly around6.09%of our global population struggles with internet addiction. It is alarming and can inflict severe damage on physical & mental health, reduce productivity, & strain relationships, diminishing the quality of life.
How does technology affect mental health?
The constant need to check your mobile phone for notifications and updates can overwhelm & burn out an individual.
Also, excessive use could lead to sleep disorders, anxiety, decreased self-esteem, body image issues, and depression.
How does technology affect our critical thinking?
Excessive use of social media and smartphones can reduce your attention span and the ability to concentrate, leading to lower memory retention.
Technology, while providing access to vast amounts of information, often encourages superficial engagement.
This can result in a lack of depth in understanding, impeding the development of deep analytical thinking and discernment abilities.
The technology addiction statistics 2023 presented here underscores the prevalence and urgency of addressing this alarming issue in the fast-evolving digital age.
Implementing strategies for digital detox and embracing a balanced life with offline social connectivity can help you deal with the addiction.
If you often find yourselves reading about stats, we suggest you check out our exciting guide ondesktop vs laptop market share.
How can one break free from the digital shackles of technology? Mention your thoughts in the comments section below and help others to detox.
More about the topics:Technology
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs.
Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That’s why she’s part of Windows Report’s Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She’s also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
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Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
She is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. Srishti is specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
