The average American spends around four hours a day on their smartphone, according to the latest string of surveys. That’s more than a month and a half of time each year – swiping, scrolling, and staring at our handheld screens.
Think that sounds extreme? Check it on your own phone right now. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
For iPhones:
Open up the Settings app.
- Scroll down to the “Screen Time” section that’s grouped with Notifications, Sounds, and Do Not Disturb.
- Tap on “Screen Time” to see your usage statistics. You’ll see a “Daily Average.” Just below that, click “See All Activity” to get your weekly stats.
- You can compare your weekly stats with past weeks by scrolling up and using one of the arrows where it says “This Week.”
For Android:
While this OS can vary by device maker, this is the most common way to find the info:
Go to Settings > Battery.
- Tap the 3-dot menu, and go to Battery usage.
- Tap the 3 dot menu again, and choose Show full device usage.
Both options let you see some degree of where you’re spending most of your time on your phone, whether it’s on social media, listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks, emailing, texting, online shopping, mobile gaming, etc.
You might have a problem if…
Even though smartphone addiction is not an officially recognized psychiatric disorder (yet), many mental health experts now treat it as one. Website PsychCentral suggests you might have a problem if you:
- Feel extremely anxious if your phone battery dies or if you lose service
- Use your phone up until the minute you go to bed and checking it the minute you wake up
- Sleep with your phone on your bed
- Reach for your phone in times of anxiety or depression
- Mindlessly pass time by looking at your phone
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