Throughout the past year, I began to reflect on how reliant we are on phones. Our phones have become so integrated into our everyday lives that we don’t even recognize how dependent we truly are on them. The problem isn’t that we use our phones, it’s that we’ve reached a point where we are uncomfortable without them.
I’ve found that I wake up and reach for my phone before my feet ever touch the ground. I’ll check my texts, socials, and the weather before taking a sip of water. Then, 20 minutes in, I am still scrolling, and somehow this all feels normal. We bring our phones everywhere. To every class, the gym, the library, even to the bathroom. If there is a 10-second period of silence, there is a good chance someone is reaching for their phone.
After doing some research, I learned that Gen Z (ages 14–29) spends a third of the year on their phones. This means that an average screen time of 7 hours and 43 minutes over the entire year adds up to 122 consecutive days in front of a screen. This is detrimental to so many aspects of human life. It deteriorates our attention spans, our sleep quality, our relationships, and especially our mental health.
The most concerning part is that a lot of people aren’t even consciously choosing it. Think about how often you unlock your phone without actually knowing why. It has become an automatic behavior, a brainless movement with no intention behind it. A big reason behind this is the intentionally addictive design of apps. They are designed to keep people engaged. Features like infinite scrolling and personalized algorithms capitalize on keeping us glued to our screens. Companies have a financial incentive to keep us looking at our screens. As an Advertising major, I find myself becoming self-aware of when an advertisement or marketing strategy keeps me engaged. Some campaigns have good intentions and are meaningful; unfortunately, a lot of the internet is clouded by short-form content and rage-inducing videos to keep people’s interest peaked.
Ultimately, we all need to spend less time on our phones and find ways to connect to the people around us, listen to music, and stay entertained without being addicted to our phones. Starting this conversation and encouraging people to be more self-aware is the first step for me.
Learn more/ Resources
https://www.nssmag.com/en/lifestyle/44101/gen-z-screen-time-report-2026-smartphone-usage
