A new study from EZContacts suggests that most Americans struggle to stay away from their smartphones. The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 62 percent of respondents cannot go more than 30 minutes without checking their phone, while 40 percent report experiencing eye strain linked to screen use.
The findings offer an interesting snapshot into how frequently smartphones are used throughout the day and how that behavior could affect sleep, health, and relationships.
Smartphone is deeply embedded in daily routines for many Americans. According to the study, 91 percent of respondents check their phone immediately after waking up. Among those users, 36 percent head straight to social media while 27 percent first check for text messages.
Phone checking continues throughout the day, often becoming automatic rather than intentional. While 62 percent said they can’t go more than 30 minutes without checking their device, 21 percent reported checking every 15 minutes and 15 percent said they look every six to 10 minutes.
Daily screen time also varies widely among users. The most common amount, reported by 26 percent of respondents, was three to four hours a day. About 20 percent reported five to six hours of daily phone use, while 13 percent said they spend seven to eight hours each day. The study also found that more than 20 percent of respondents exceed eight hours a day, including six percent who said (somewhat unbelievably) their phone use goes beyond 15 hours.
Younger users inevitably had some of the highest usage levels. More than 10 percent of Gen Z respondents spend over 15 hours per day on their phones. Baby boomers were more likely to report much lower usage levels, with many saying they use their phones for one to two hours per day.
“The sheer scale of phone usage was staggering,” said Rafael Sarim Oezdemir, Head of Growth at EZContacts. “While we expected to see high screen time, seeing that more than 20 percent of people spend over eight hours a day on their phones was alarming. It’s also worrying to see that 10 percent of Gen Z spend over 15 hours a day on their phone. When paired with the reported health effects like eye discomfort, it shows our digital habits are creating a real and escalating public health issue.”
Smartphone health worries
The study also examined the physical effects associated with frequent screen use. More than three quarters of respondents, 78 percent, reported experiencing some type of physical or eye related issue linked to time spent on digital devices. Eye strain was the most common complaint, reported by 40 percent of participants. Other symptoms included blurry vision at 28 percent, neck pain at 28 percent, headaches at 27 percent, and dry eyes at 26 percent.
Sleep patterns could also be affected by late night phone use. The study found that 77 percent of respondents scroll on their phones before going to bed, and 24 percent said that habit makes it harder to fall asleep.
Social media activity produced mixed emotional responses among participants. Some respondents reported feeling relaxed or entertained when scrolling, while others said browsing sometimes leads to stress, burnout, or a worse mood afterward. Younger users reported these emotional effects more frequently than older groups.
Smartphone use can also spill into relationships and daily activities. The survey found that 26 percent of respondents have canceled plans after getting absorbed in their phone. Another 22 percent said a partner has been upset with them because of phone use.
Even when people attempt to disconnect, phones often remain close by. The study found that 32 percent of respondents try to be present during free time but still use their phone frequently, while 31 percent said they are usually on their phone during free time. Only six percent said they fully disconnect from their devices.
The full EZContacts study is available to browse here.
What do you think about how often people check their phones? Let us know in the comments.
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