"Living Digitally, Dying Slowly: The True Cost of Your Screen Time"
- M.R. Grigsby
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
Michael R. Grigsby, Editor-- 21 July 2025, 7:27 AM EST
Somerset-Kentucky----Take a moment and open your phone. Navigate to your device's screen time settings. If you are using an Apple device, you can swipe down and search for "Screen Time" directly. Once there, examine two key metrics: your average daily screen time over the past week and the specific apps or websites that occupy most of your time.
According to recent data, the average person spends over two hours per day on social media and over one hour per day on streaming services (Statista, 2024). Combined, this amounts to 21 hours per week, 90 hours per month, and approximately 1,095 hours per year. To put that into perspective, this equals 45 full 24-hour days every year dedicated solely to social media and streaming content.
Redefining "Leisure": A Deeper Analysis
Let us be fair: not all screen time is inherently negative. Watching a show to relax after a long day can have emotional and psychological benefits, including stress reduction and social connection (Reinecke & Eden, 2017). So, let us set aside the one hour a day spent streaming. Even then, the average person is left with 730 hours annually—equivalent to 30 full days—spent exclusively on social media.
Now imagine living to the age of 80. That equates to 2,400 days—or 6.5 years—spent scrolling, posting, reacting, and consuming content online. Even after subtracting 14 years of non-use for those who didn’t own smartphones until adolescence, the total still comes to over 5.4 years of life consumed by social media. For younger generations, this figure is even higher: Gen Z averages four hours daily on social platforms, totaling more than 10 years of life; millennials average three hours daily, which adds up to eight years (Pew Research Center, 2023).
Harmful? You be the Judge.
It is not a matter of lacking time; it is a matter of how time is prioritized. Research consistently shows that individuals underestimate how much time they spend on non-essential digital activities (Wilcockson, Ellis, & Shaw, 2018). Many claim they don’t have time to exercise, read, start a new hobby, or spend more quality time with their family. Yet, a quick glance at screen time data tells a different story.
If you eliminate just one hour per day from social media usage, you free up 365 hours a year. That’s more than enough time to complete a fitness program, take an online course, write a book, or reconnect with loved ones. The difference between spending and investing time becomes critical here. Social media usage is a form of spending: it provides temporary gratification without long-term value. In contrast, time invested in personal growth—like exercising, learning, or deep social interaction—yields compounding returns.
Health Implications of Time Allocation
Beyond productivity, the consequences of screen time extend to physical and mental health. Sedentary behavior, often associated with prolonged screen exposure, is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers (Owen et al., 2010). In contrast, regular physical activity is proven to reduce the risk of these diseases while also improving mood and cognitive function (Warburton & Bredin, 2017).
Thus, one hour spent on social media versus one hour spent exercising represents not just a lifestyle difference but a long-term health investment. That hour at the gym may increase your lifespan and quality of life, while the hour spent passively consuming content might incrementally diminish it.
A Call to Action: Choose to Live Deliberately
When reviewing your screen time, do not simply consider how it affects your workout schedule. Ask yourself what else you could do with the equivalent of five or more years of your life. Could you write that novel? Launch that business? Learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language? Spend more time raising your children or caring for your community?
Time is the most valuable resource we have. And unlike money or material possessions, it is irreplaceable. Every minute spent passively consuming the curated lives of others is a minute not invested in your own.
But the good news is that you can take that time back. You can make a conscious decision to reclaim those lost hours and redirect them toward things that bring meaning, growth, and joy to your life.
Here is a visual representation of how this breaks down the time in one's day.
Conclusion
The average person sacrifices years of their life to screen-based distractions, particularly social media. By recognizing this and making intentional choices, it is possible to reclaim those years and live with greater purpose. You must decide that your time—and ultimately, your life—is worth protecting.
References:
Owen, N., Healy, G. N., Matthews, C. E., & Dunstan, D. W. (2010). Too much sitting: the population-health science of sedentary behavior. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 38(3), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e3181e373a2
Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens, social media and technology 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/12/11/teens-social-media-and-technology-2023/
Reinecke, L., & Eden, A. (2017). Media use and recreation: Media-induced recovery processes and patterns of media use associated with recovery. In The Routledge Handbook of Media Use and Well-Being (pp. 106-118). Routledge.
Statista. (2024). Average daily social media and streaming usage worldwide. https://www.statista.com/statistics/433871/daily-social-media-usage-worldwide/
Warburton, D. E. R., & Bredin, S. S. D. (2017). Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews. Current Opinion in Cardiology, 32(5), 541–556. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCO.0000000000000437
Wilcockson, T. D. W., Ellis, D. A., & Shaw, H. (2018). Excessive smartphone use is associated with anxiety: Importance of functional usage. Journal of Affective Disorders, 234, 93–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.051
This article was written by Michael R. Grigsby, one of the news editors for LCTI, LLC. Michael is passionate about writing on topics such as outdoor recreation, photography, strength sports, bodybuilding, and powerlifting. He provides accurate and insightful news reports on diverse topics. He loves connecting with readers and is always happy to answer any questions you may have.
DISCLAIMER
This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This is for educational and informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it intend to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about a wide range of concerns related to your health, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional.
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