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'Smartphone pinky': Is it real?
Experts weigh in on that indent on the side of your pinky. (KSTU)
LOS ANGELES - Phone addiction is becoming a growing concern, especially for younger generations. According to the BePresent 2024 Digital Wellness Report, 83% of Gen Z feel they have an unhealthy relationship with their phones, significantly higher than any other generation. With increased screen time, this age group is experiencing negative effects on their mental health, sleep, and overall productivity.
How much screen time is too much?
The report found that 80% of people spend three or more hours on their phones each day. Even more concerning, 40% of users are spending five or more hours, and 20% are on their phones for seven hours or more daily. The average screen time among all respondents is five hours a day.
For Gen Z, 20% report spending over eight hours on their phones daily, which is double the rate of other generations.
How is phone addiction affecting mental health?
Excessive phone use is linked to a variety of mental health challenges. The BePresent report shows that 73% of people believe their phones negatively affect their mental health. Among those impacts:
- 50% report losing sleep due to phone use
- 33% say their phones have increased their anxiety
- 26% note they have fewer social interactions as a result of excessive screen time
FILE - Children play video games on smartphones.
For Gen Z specifically, the numbers are even more troubling. 66% report losing sleep due to their phones, and 43% struggle with productivity compared to just 25% for other generations.
The rise of social media and entertainment apps
The BePresent report also highlights how phones are being used across different demographics. For Gen Z, 73% say they use their phones for entertainment purposes such as streaming or gaming, while 61% spend time on social media. Phone usage for staying connected with friends and family is also significant, with 43% of Gen Z respondents saying that’s one of their top reasons for using their devices.
Interestingly, 85% of Gen Z respondents said they’ve either stopped or reduced their use of dating apps in favor of in-person connections.
The Source:
This article is based on the BePresent 2024 Digital Wellness Report, which analyzed phone usage patterns and mental health impacts.