Smartphone users admit overuse and are working to curb it

Smartphone users are increasingly admitting unhealthy relationships with their devices and the alleged side effects of their dependence. According to a May 2024 survey of 2,000 consumers across Germany, a startling 84% of survey participants between the ages of 18 and 24 believe they use their phones “too much.” More than half (55%) of the German survey’s respondents younger than 45 say they spend more time on their smartphones than they did a year ago.

The survey also shows that their bodies and minds are registering extensive screen usage in negative ways, as 56% of respondents reported falling asleep late, being distracted, or feeling compelled to look at their phones. And nearly one in five respondents (19%) in the 18- to 24-year-old age range blamed their overuse of their smartphones for physical discomfort such as headaches and eye problems.

To counteract their reported overreliance on the technology, many respondents reported that they’re taking measures to control their attention to their smartphones: Most commonly, they’re muting or blocking notifications, powering down entirely, or placing the devices out of their physical reach.

Consumers’ reported overuse and their ensuing “digital detox” efforts could prompt more industry self-regulation while European regulatory bodies are already closely monitoring the negative social effects of digitalization. Moreover, this data could point to an opportunity for providers of mobile applications, platforms, and tools to distinguish themselves in the market: If users are working to be more careful about when and why they pick up their phones, providers have an opportunity to demonstrate how they offer a screen time experience with more value.

The full report is available in German. See here.