The Screen Time Struggle: It’s Not Just the Kids Anymore
For many young Australians, the familiar refrain from older generations about excessive screen time is a constant soundtrack. “It’s that phone,” lament parents, linking every misstep to the glowing rectangle in their child’s hand. Yet, as 24-year-old Bailee points out, the reality is often more nuanced, and perhaps even ironic. After observing her own mother, Bailee found herself questioning who was truly caught in the digital snare. “My mum’s addicted to Candy Crush,” she shared, describing how even a brief conversation could be derailed by the hypnotic allure of a bubble-popping game.
This sentiment is resonating globally. Spain and Greece are now contemplating stricter measures on social media, following in the footsteps of countries like the UK and France. Australia, in December, made headlines by becoming the first nation to implement a ban on certain social media platforms for individuals under 16. While the public discourse and legislative focus in these nations primarily target teenagers and young adults, young people themselves are increasingly observing that older generations are equally, if not more, immersed in their devices.
The Widening Age Gap on Screens
The perception that older generations are more digitally entrenched than they’re willing to admit is supported by a recent US survey by YouGov. The findings indicated that a significant portion of adults aged 45 to 64 reported spending five or more hours daily looking at screens, with one in five estimating their usage at a staggering seven to eight hours. While the survey did confirm that younger demographics, particularly 18 to 29-year-olds, spend the most time on screens (with 70% reporting over five hours daily and nearly a third exceeding nine hours), neuropsychologists suggest the difference between age groups is rapidly diminishing.
Like many young people, Bailee has faced criticism from older people about her screen time.
Digital Natives as Digital Guides?
Melbourne-based neuropsychologist Dr. Michael Moshel, who has extensively researched the brain’s response to screen time, acknowledges the escalating usage across all age brackets. However, he posits that “digital natives” – those who have grown up with technology – could play a pivotal role in helping older individuals recognise and address problematic screen habits.
“I think this is one of the skills that actually younger people are a lot more comfortable in the digital environment than older people,” Dr. Moshel explained. “So, I think there is some place for younger people, if they feel like they are in control of their technology use… to have a very frank conversation with their parents, with their grandparents, and say, ‘Look, there’s a lot of these features that are in-built into these technologies that wrestle this control we have away from us’.” He believes this awareness might not be as intuitive for older generations.
The YouGov survey also highlighted that younger Americans are more likely to acknowledge their struggles with screen time. Almost 70% of 18 to 29-year-olds expressed a desire to reduce their screen usage, with nearly half having actively attempted to do so in the past year.
The Ubiquitous Nature of the Smartphone
For individuals like Bailee, the challenge isn’t just acknowledging the problem, but implementing solutions. “Your wallet’s on your phone, all your personal details are on your phone — you have to have a phone to be able to be in society at this point,” she stated, underscoring the smartphone’s integral role in modern life. The appeal of scrolling through feeds, watching short-form videos, and engaging in games stems from the quick dopamine hits that app developers masterfully engineer to maintain user engagement. Bailee believes this “quick dopamine hit” is now a universal draw, encompassing all generations.
Jess, 22, echoes this sentiment, admitting her attempts to curb screen time, including setting app limits and deleting applications, have largely been unsuccessful. “I would say I’m in a constant limbo of trying to get my screen time lower, and I fear I’ve been failing for years,” she confessed.
Interestingly, Jess has observed a shift in her parents’ perspective. While they once chided her for “wasting her life on her phone,” they now seem to grasp that it’s an inherent part of her generation’s existence. Yet, she still encounters unsolicited commentary from older individuals. She recounted an instance where a woman approached her and her friends, remarking, “I just have to tell you, it’s so refreshing to see a group of young people just actually speaking to each other and not being on their phones.”
Different Generations, Different Screens
While comprehensive Australian data on screen time broken down by age isn’t routinely gathered, a 2020-21 Australian Bureau of Statistics report offered some insights. It suggested that time spent watching TV and video screens generally increased with age, with older generations (Interwar and Baby Boomers) averaging over three hours daily. Conversely, Gen Z females spent the most time on their phones, while Gen Z males engaged in digital gaming for longer durations than any other demographic.
Dr. Moshel notes that statistics suggest approximately 10% of the population experiences problematic screen use, defined as a loss of control over usage with negative repercussions. He estimates that between 3% and 5% of individuals could be considered clinically addicted to screens.
“Typically, when I speak to people who have some sort of problematic relationship, it’s that ‘I can’t get off it’… so I have an intention, the amount of time that I want to spend, the sort of platforms that I want to use, but I’m really finding no matter how much I try to intentionally use these technologies, I’m just not able to,” he explained. The crucial first step, he stresses, is the recognition of a problem and the negative consequences arising from a loss of control.
Navigating a Social Media-Free Summer
As Australia implemented its social media ban for under-16s in December, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged young people to embrace alternative activities: “Start a new sport, learn a new instrument or read that book that’s been sitting there on your shelf for some time.”
Fifteen-year-old Jazmin found herself restricted from most social media apps for the summer, leading to a significant reduction in her screen time. “Now I don’t have as many apps, I don’t really use my socials that much,” she reported. “I only use it when I need it, and at first it was like, ‘Oh, I feel like I’m missing out on things’, but it’s actually been pretty good cause I’ve gotten out more.”
Her friend Blaize, 16, who is not subject to the ban, believes his screen time has also been indirectly affected. “I used to be on my phone 24/7 scrolling my friend’s posts, talking to everyone, but now I can only talk to people that are my age or higher,” he observed. He, too, has noticed the screen time habits of older relatives, stating, “My mum just uses it to gossip with her friends and play Candy Crush — same with my pop and my nan.”
However, not all young people are tethered to their devices. Nineteen-year-old Amos stands out, using his phone primarily for essential tasks. “I don’t use it as much as a lot of people my age,” he said. “I feel like I kind of used to be like that in high school, but now I just use it for, I guess, more necessities and ways to keep me happier.” His approach mirrors that of some older individuals he has observed, highlighting that mindful technology use is achievable across all age groups.
