From Priest to Pensioner: Six Brits Reveal Their True Screen Time Habits
In an era dominated by digital devices, understanding our relationship with screens has become crucial. From a teenager who shuns social media to a tech CEO who has drastically reduced his online presence, six individuals from across the UK share their daily screen time and the profound effects it has on their lives. Their stories highlight the diverse ways in which smartphones and social media shape modern existence, from mental health concerns to social connections.
Dayeon, 16: The Teenager Who Spends Less Than an Hour a Day on Screens
Dayeon, a 16-year-old from the UK, stands out among her peers for her minimal screen use. She spends only 30 minutes to an hour daily on her phone and avoids social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. "I think my screen time is what adults want their kids to have," she says, noting that friends' parents often hold her up as an example.
She received her first phone at age 12, with strict rules limiting use to an hour. Today, she remains cautious, citing concerns about mental health impacts she has observed in friends. "I've definitely seen friends get self-conscious; double-checking everything they say," Dayeon explains. While some peers spend over six hours daily on social media, she focuses on schoolwork and real-life relationships, though she occasionally feels left out of online conversations.
Her parents influence her habits; neither uses social media, though her father, a software engineer, logs up to 15 hours on screens for work. Dayeon worries about online privacy, recalling dance videos from her childhood still accessible online. "It's scary, there's no way to reset your past," she reflects, emphasising her commitment to maintaining low screen time in the future.
Shere, 85: The Octogenarian Whose Social Life Revolves Around WhatsApp
At 85, Shere embraces technology to stay connected, spending about three hours daily on her phone, primarily on WhatsApp. She uses the app to communicate with family in Trinidad and local old people's groups, organising meet-ups and sharing images. "The phone hooks you in," she admits, recounting an incident where her porridge boiled over because she was engrossed in her device.
Following her wife's death earlier this year, WhatsApp helps combat loneliness, though it doesn't fully alleviate it. Shere has joined three local groups for seniors, using the platform to arrange weekly exercise and breakfast sessions. She also enjoys westerns on a new smart TV and uses Alexa for music and alarms, but finds typing challenging and wishes to learn computer skills.
Despite appreciating the connectivity, Shere worries about excessive phone use. "I worry about the time I spend on my phone. I just get carried away," she says, criticising the influx of unnecessary content like duck photos. She prefers gardening or housework but acknowledges the necessity of devices for tasks like booking NHS appointments.
Pippa, 29: The Priest Who's Big on TikTok
Pippa, a 29-year-old priest, balances her religious duties with a growing TikTok presence, spending up to four hours daily on her phone. She started making videos 18 months ago to engage with a broader audience, amassing over 30,500 followers. One viral post, showing her at a Ministry of Sound event before leading a service, garnered over 2.2 million views.
She admits to checking likes and followers but avoids comments due to negative feedback, such as criticism from other Christians. "I am very strict about not looking at the comments any more," Pippa states, recalling a Sun article about her TikTok that required explaining to her bishop. As a single person living alone, she finds socialising through screens essential, using apps like Hinge but prioritising face-to-face interactions with friends and family.
Pippa believes her screen time is moderate among peers and limits use to prevent headaches, often switching to books. "I can feel it when I've hit that time; I think, 'I need to switch off now and read a book,'" she says, highlighting the balance between digital engagement and personal well-being.
Paula, 40: The Stay-at-Home Mother Hooked on Phone Games
Paula, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mother on a UK farm, dedicates about four hours daily to gaming on her phone, playing strategic war games like Puzzles & Chaos. She views this as a mental escape from her busy routine of childcare and chores. "Gaming is my 'me' time," she explains, noting that it provides quiet and cognitive challenge without the negativity of social media.
Born in Spain and formerly in the army, Paula moved to the UK for her husband but denies gaming due to loneliness, citing a selective social life. She engages with an online community through the game, using Discord and WhatsApp to plan attacks with mostly female players. "I like that you can talk to other gamers with no judgment," she says, appreciating the support network for personal issues.
Paula dismisses friends' scepticism about her hobby, emphasising its benefits for mental stimulation. "Sure, everything in excess is bad, but if you play the right amount of time, it's stimulating," she argues, balancing gaming with daily workouts and reading.
Barnaby, 43: The Tech CEO Who's Deeply Offline
Barnaby, a 43-year-old tech CEO, has radically reduced his screen time after a period of severe depression linked to overuse. He now spends about 1.5 hours daily on his phone and five to six hours on a computer, avoiding screens until after 10am to create "buffer time" for family and exercise. "I used to be immediately checking the news, responding to emails or Slack messages," he recalls, describing past mornings as a "smartphone-induced blur."
He eliminated unhealthy habits like constant email checking and Slack notifications, which he says were ruining his life. "Slack was ruining my life – constant notifications, constant buzzing," Barnaby explains, noting that quitting reduced his anxiety. He now relies on paper to-do lists and prioritises in-person or phone conversations, finding that disconnecting has enriched his interactions and helped him recover from depression.
His partner supports this change, and Barnaby enjoys more quality time with his children, such as painting projects. "I got out of a depression directly off the back of making these changes," he says, highlighting the positive impact on his temper and overall well-being.
Katrina, 31: The Social Media Manager Who's Always Online
Katrina, a 31-year-old social media manager, logs staggering screen time—up to 12 hours daily on her phone and eight on a computer—due to her job demands. She starts her day by checking multiple platforms and often multitasks across devices, leading to physical issues like eye watering and back pain. "Most of the time I feel shackled to my phone and it's tragic," she admits, though she acknowledges the dopamine rush from viral posts, such as organising a Harry Styles lookalike contest that made global news.
She faces trolling and death threats online but tries to dismiss them. "If someone says something mean to me online I just think, 'That's not real, so I don't care,'" Katrina says. To unwind, she scrolls TikTok, appreciating its curated content and community connections, especially during cultural events like Diwali.
Her husband helps enforce limits, but she sometimes sneaks phone use after he sleeps. "By the end of the day my brain is fried and I feel exhausted," she reflects, illustrating the intense pressures of a career built around constant digital engagement.
Conclusion: Navigating Digital Lives in Modern Britain
These six stories from across the UK reveal a complex tapestry of screen time habits, from cautious minimalism to all-consuming engagement. They underscore the dual role of technology as both a connector and a source of stress, impacting mental health, relationships, and daily routines. As society grapples with digital dependency, their experiences offer valuable insights into finding balance in an increasingly online world.
