Average screen time is 9 hours per day, but that hardly bothers us: 'It's actually nice'

We're all hooked on our smartphones, and our screen time is skyrocketing. The Dutch spend an average of almost nine hours a day behind a phone and/or computer screen. But most people aren't unhappy about it at all.

This is evident from new research by the Media Literacy Network, in the context of the theme 'healthy screen use' of Media Literacy Week.

Over 80 percent rate their screen time positively and give it a satisfactory rating (an average of 7). For most Dutch people, digital media has become an inextricable part of daily life, providing them with "relaxation, convenience, and connection." "I love everything you can do with your phone. I find it easier to send people a message than to have to see them all the time," says a 42-year-old woman in the survey, for example. An expert also previously emphasized that a phone isn't all bad , despite the downsides of too much screen time.

There are significant differences within the age groups. Baby boomers are the most satisfied: 93 percent of respondents rate their screen use as satisfactory and feel more in control of their digital life. Young people are more likely to be dissatisfied with their screen use, feel less in control, and experience more pressure from their environment to be always available. They experience more negative emotions related to screen use, such as stress, powerlessness, and increased social pressure.

It's already been shown that screen use has significant negative consequences for young people. They can become trapped in a vicious cycle of phone use, poor sleep, and mental health issues. The blue light from screens tricks our system into thinking it's still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep .

Sixty percent of Dutch people find their screen time addictive. Another 60 percent use screens to escape reality, and half use them primarily out of habit or boredom. "I'll sit down for a bit and do nothing, pick up my phone, and suddenly another half hour has gone by. I experience that very often," agrees a 17-year-old.

Young people, in particular, are more likely to find themselves scrolling endlessly or feeling the need to always be online. "Older generations seem to be more consciously scaling their screen time," says Dr. Nastasia Griffioen, researcher and coordinator of the Expertise Center for Digitalization and Wellbeing.

According to her, screen use can unknowingly become a pattern that is difficult to break. "We turn to our screens for relaxation, connection, or habit, but often only when we step away do we realize what it does to us: anxiety, boredom, or the urge to go back online."

Most Dutch people, 80 percent of respondents, are open to more mindful screen use. The younger they are, the more willing they are to limit screen time. For example, Generation Z is more likely to set timers on apps, consider taking a break from social media, discuss ways to manage screen time more consciously, and use the option to set their phones to grayscale to reduce distractions. Millennials are more likely to say they've already deleted accounts, while baby boomers are more likely to choose fixed screen-free periods. And 18 percent of Dutch people have clear screen-free zones or rules at home.

Mary Berkhout, program director of the Media Literacy Network: “By making small, smart choices – such as a screen-free dining table, putting your phone outside the bedroom, or turning off the sound for a while – you create more peace and balance.”

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