How Much Time Does the Average American Spend on Their Phone in 2023?

Нow much time does the average American spend on their phone?

To answer simply - a lot.

Let me guess. You’re reading this on your phone. 

Gotcha. 

The internet has become a massive part of our daily routine. Some can not do without it for a whole day. The continuous growth of smartphone devices across the world does not seem to be helping matters either. An increased number of people are now able to access the internet anywhere, anytime. 

Here are some stats to keep you updated about how much time Americans are spending on their phones, and on what exactly.

Fascinating Facts About Americans and Smartphones

Want to know more as to how much time the average American spends on their phone? Check out these amazing stats below:

• Most mobile phone users check their phones up to 63 times daily.
• Americans spend an average screen time of 5.4 hours on their mobile phones daily.
• There will be over 311.53 million smartphone users in America by 2025.
• Social media is responsible for 2 hours and 24 minutes of global internet time spent online by an average user daily.
• 13% of millennials spend over 12 hours on their phones daily.  
• Baby Boomers spend 5 hours using their phones. 
• Millennials spend 48 minutes texting every day.

You’re hungry for more of these stats right? Keep reading!

Americans Phone Usage Statistics

In today's world, mobile accounts for more than half of our internet time. What’s more, that trend is expected to increase even further. 

1. The average mobile phone user checks their phone up to 63 times daily.

(Source: Slick Text)

According to stats on how Americans spend time, heavy phone users interact with their mobile phones as much as 86 times in a day.

2. 86% of Americans go online daily using their mobile devices.

(Source: Oberlo)

Mobile phones are flexible, durable, and easy to use. To top it all, they can provide quick information to users, even while on the go. So it’s no surprise that around 52.4% of the global population access the internet via a mobile device.

3. Americans spend an average screen time of 5.4 hours on their mobile phones daily.

(Source: ZD Net)

According to screen time stats for Americans, the average American spends a little above 5 hours daily on their mobile phones. Reports go further to tell us that the top 10% of heavy phone users have an average of 5,427 touches on their mobile phones daily. 

How Many Americans Own Smartphones?

The rate of smartphone ownership is on the rise, and it has been so over the last few years. Currently, nearly all households in America own a smartphone. Roughly everyone across all age groups is a smartphone owner.

4. By 2025, the number of smartphone users in the US will reach over 311.53 million.

(Source: Statista)

In a 2021 survey, researchers forecasted that smartphone ownership would keep rising steadily in the next few years. The latest American phone usage statistics confirm this by a long shot.

Did you know that the number of people who utilize gadgets will increase by about 37.43 million between 2018 and 2025, reaching 311 million?

5. According to American phone usage statistics, 94% of 18-29-year-olds in the US own a smartphone.

(Source: Bank My Cell)

Like we mentioned earlier, smartphone penetration in the US economy is at a very high rate. However, it is also important to note that the level of smartphone penetration varies across different age groups. 100% of those between the ages of 18- 29 in America are owners of mobile phones. 94% of those happen to be owners of smartphones.

6. 91% of college graduates in America are owners of smartphones.

(Source: Bank My Cell)

According to reports, almost all college graduates in America currently own a smartphone device.

7. American phone usage statistics reveal that only 46% of the 65+ age group are smartphone users.

(Source: Bank My Cell)

Although a good chunk of baby boomers say that they prefer to access the internet using personal computers, about 4 in 10 of them still own mobile devices, preferably tablets. This number is a significant increase when compared to what was reported in similar research conducted in 2013. At that time, only 13% of baby boomers owned a smartphone.

How Do Americans Use Mobile Phones?

Mobile phones allow people to carry out a variety of activities on the go. People can now shop, sell, send, receive, and carry out all sorts of online transactions with just their mobile phones. Check out the stats that follow for more insights into how Americans are using their mobile phones:

8. 81% of US adults use the internet daily.

(Source: Oberlo)

From millennials to Gen Xers, to baby boomers and the silent generation, research indicated that a substantial percentage go online daily.

9. According to American phone usage statistics, Americans spend an average of 6.31 hours on the internet daily.

(Source: Small Biz Trends)

Global time spent on the internet by an average user stands at 6 hours 31 minutes. That of an average US internet user is pegged a bit lower. The US stands amongst the countries with the highest amount of time spent online. Countries like the Philippines have a significantly higher internet time daily.

10. Millennials spend 48 minutes of each day texting on their mobile phones, compared to 30 minutes for baby boomers.

(Source: ZD Net)

Millennials and baby boomers constitute the highest percentage of mobile phone users who prefer to text. According to reports, millennials are likely to spend 48 minutes of each day texting and another 41 minutes chatting on their mobile phones.

11. Baby boomers spend 43 minutes on their emails compared to 10 minutes for millennials.

(Source: ZD Net)

Mobile emailing is one area where the older generation stands out. This may be because a more significant percentage of baby boomers fall under the working class category. They have to deal with clients and business partners both near and afar. And as we know, email is the most preferred form of communication for business people.

12. Millennials in America spend 5.7 hours every day on their mobile phones.

(Source: ZDNet)

You might be curious as to how much time millennials spend on their phones. 

Let us help - 5.7 hours a day.

This may seem like a significant amount of time for someone to spend using their mobile phones every day. However, research has shown that the younger generation is spending much more time on their mobile phones. Close to half of Gen Zs spend up to 10 hours online on their mobile phones daily. 

13. Baby boomers spend 5 hours on their mobile phones every day.

(Source: ZD Net)

One would be convinced that millennials rank higher in terms of time spent on mobile phones daily. But you might be surprised to discover that baby boomers are not far behind, spending around 5 hours on their phones a day.

14. 13% of millennials spend more than 12 hours on their mobile phones each day.

(Source: ZD Net)

A good number of baby boomers (5%) also reportedly spent more than 12 hours on their mobile phones daily.

15. An average American spends 38 minutes on Facebook every day.

(Source: eMarketer)

Facebook and Instagram are the two most used social platforms and are responsible for most of the time spent by Americans on social media. But more recently, TikTok has also been making waves, even surpassing Instagram as the most downloaded app. 

Still, the average American spends 38 minutes on Facebook daily.

How Are Screen Times Increasing in America?

How much time does the average American spend on their phone? Is this time increasing?

Like it or not, screen time is on the rise in America. Mobile phones have become a massive part of that movement. The following screen time stats for Americans tell more:

16. The average American adult spends about 4 hours, 30 minutes every day watching shows and movies on television.

(Source: CNN)

Yes, it’s a known fact that mobile devices consume more of our screen time, especially for teenagers and young adults. However, millennials and baby boomers still spend quality on-screen time watching TV.

17. The average American spends about 10 hours, 39 minutes of on-screen time every day.

(Source: CNN)

This includes time spent on smartphones, tablets, video games, personal computers, multimedia devices, TVs, radios, DVRs, and DVDs.

18. American teens spend an average of 9 hours a day in front of screens.

(Source: Forbes)

According to screen time stats for Americans, on-screen time is highest for American teenagers. More than 7 hours of those are spent on mobile phones.

Globally, How Much Time Does the Average Person Spend on Their Phone?

The time spent on phone screens is increasing daily and not just in America. Globally, the world is also experiencing a shift towards mobile. Just take a look:

19. 92.4% of internet users access the Web via their phones.

(Source: Data Reportal)

Sounds impressive, right? Keep reading then!

So as of 2022, the global population stands at about 7.96 billion. Of them, around 63% are internet users (roughly 5 billion people). Now watch this—the vast majority (92.4%) use their phone to access the Web at least some of the time. Moreover, mobile phones account for half of the world’s web traffic.

20. Smartphone users spend an average screen time of 2 hours, 51 minutes daily on their smartphones.

(Source: Slick Text)

iOS and Android are leading the smartphone usage parade. The convenience and ease of access to various social platforms and transactional purposes provided by smartphones with those OS will continue to ensure massive global adoption.

21. Smartphone and tablet owners spend a combined time of 4 hours, 33 minutes daily on their devices.

(Source: IT Web)

Despite smartphones owning the largest share of the mobile market, tablets are also going strong. Certain age groups like baby boomers prefer to use a tablet instead of a smartphone.

22. The number of world smartphone subscriptions will reach about 7.7 billion by 2026.

(Source: Statista)

The numbers are forecast to grow exponentially in the next couple of years. Around 7.7 billion subscriptions in 2026 mean the figure will have more than doubled compared to 2016.

Do you know that the US, China, and India have the highest number of smartphone users worldwide?

Globally, How Much Time Do People Spend Online?

Well, now that we discovered how much time does the average American spend on their phone, let’s see how the rest of the world is doing.

People are spending more of their time online than they did 10 or 20 years ago. This has brought about a concomitant increase in time spent on the phone screen. 

Do you know why? 

Well, let's just say a lot of factors have contributed to that fact. For starters, the internet is faster, internet-connected devices are becoming numerous and advanced, people now have access to uninterrupted internet connection like never before, etc. 

But what do people do, while online?

23. 91% of social network surfers use their phones.

(Source: Oberlo)

Smartphone addiction statistics are fascinating and kinda scary at the same time. 91% of social network users access such media via their phones.

That’s a clear indication of the infinite opportunities before ecommerce and marketing specialists if nothing else.

24. Globally, screen time statistics reveal that the average internet user spends more than 6 hours and 30 minutes online daily.

(Source: Data Reportal)

Countries like the Philippines have a higher average internet time - 9 hours and 45 minutes daily. Others like Japan have reduced daily internet time of 4 hours, 22 minutes.

25. Social media is responsible for 2 hours, 24 minutes of global internet time by an average user daily.

(Source: Data Reportal)

Countries like the Philippines also have an average daily social media time of about 4 hours - this is recognized as the highest social media time in the world. Others like Japan have the least daily social media time of about 45 minutes per day.

Global Screen Time Statistics Demographics

Screen time for both men and women differ globally. While men spend most of their screen time on business and entertainment, a majority of females spend their screen time on relationship matters, self-help, and entertainment. Read on to find out more about global screen time statistics demographics:

26. Women in South Asia are 3X less likely to use social media compared to men.

(Source: The Next Web)

As much as experts would like to link this huge disparity to the lack of a stable economy, research has shown that it is as much of a normative reason as it is economical. Social media in South Asia is perceived to be a corrupt medium. Also, it is believed that women are more susceptible to its corrupt ways than men. For that reason, the use of social media by women in South Asia is being curtailed.

27. According to American phone usage statistics, 80% of men in America use smartphones.

(Source: Bank My Cell)

In America, men make use of smartphones more than women. However, women are not far off, as 75% of American women also use smartphones. Despite a more significant percentage of men having access to smartphones, women (78%) are more socially active than men (65%).

28. In 2022, 2 in 3 Indian households have a female smartphone user.

(Source: Business Today)

In comparison, 68% of surveyed households pointed out that women who are using mobile phones now didn’t just ten years ago.

A further 30% of the respondents don’t own any device, while 2% didn’t even share their views on the subject.

Smartphone Addiction Stats

The massive adoption of smartphone devices has proved to be a shrewd move for all parties involved. However, it comes with a side effect. 

Experts are beginning to show concern about how much time the average American spends on their phone, and the possible health issues that may result. Over time, sicknesses like obesity, depression, and anxiety have been known to be associated with excessively high screen time. In the stats that follow, a slight breakdown of smartphone addiction stats follows:

29. By 2023, Americans will use an average of 55 minutes of their mobile time on social media.

(Source: Statista)

So you like to know even more stats on how Americans spend time on their phones? We got you. The latest data reveals that by 2023, the average time allocated for social media will increase to 55 minutes. That’s six minutes more than 2020.

What’s more, the mobile media usage time is also set to increase, reaching 4 hours and 29 minutes in 2023.

30. 50% of American teens agree that they are addicted to their cell phones.

(Source: Online King)

One of the major causes of smartphone addiction is the urge to respond to messages coming into their cell phones. The availability of fun-filled apps and games that can easily be downloaded for free across app stores is also another cause of addiction for teens. Parents should consider a parental control app to lower these stress levels. 

31. 69% of American mobile device users prefer to look for reviews on their phones rather than approach an in-store employee.

(Source: Oberlo)

The latest smartphone addiction stats show that almost 70% of Americans shopping in-store would rather look at customer reviews on their mobile device than ask a store employee. 

58% percent of in-store shoppers also look online for similar products to the ones they are thinking of buying. 

These stats definitely indicate a smartphone addiction issue in the US. 

32. 58% of people tried to restrict their phone usage, with 41% of them succeeding.

(Source: Slick Text)

According to American phone usage statistics, of all the people addicted to their mobile phones around the world (teenagers and adults combined), more than half have tried limiting or restricting their mobile phone usage. A greater majority of them have been successful so far. If you are curious about smartphone addiction, these statistics can show you everything you need to know. 

How To Spend Less Time on Your Phone

If the info about how much time does the average American spend on their phone has shocked you and you feel like you need to limit your screen time, here are some tips:

1. Turn Off Notifications

Turning off notifications for all apps will ensure that you avoid possible distractions. Especially when you are trying to do something important, like work or get some good night rest.

2. Disable "Raise to Wake."

“Raise to Wake” is a feature that allows your phone to come up with just a little nudge on your phone screen. Due to the ease of activating this feature, you can sometimes find yourself unlocking your phone even when it is not needed. And so, you’re hindering your productivity at the moment.

3. Use the "Do Not Disturb" Button as Often as You Can.

This feature can save you lots of productive hours, especially at work. You could do well to place your phone on the “Do Not Disturb” mode. This will ensure that no social media messages enter your phone, limiting your phone usage to just calls and texts for the rest of your working hours.

Wrap Up

And so.

How much time does the average American spend on their phone?

Americans spend roughly 5 hours a day on their phone.

Which is not really optimal. What’s more worrying is that this trend will surely continue. 

Are you concerned about it? Or have you accepted mobile phones as a necessary evil?