Unintentional Phone Use Common Among Adults
Many individuals have experienced the phenomenon of intending to check something briefly on their phone, only to find themselves scrolling for an extended period without realizing it. A recent report indicates that more than one-third of the time spent on phones is done without a clear purpose.
Dr Eleanor Drage from Cambridge University explained that
"this isn't just a question of people making unwise choices,"but rather that users are
"undermined by the immersive nature of the technology".
Although self-reported phone usage can be unreliable, Prof Pete Etchells of Bath Spa University emphasized that recognizing personal habits is
"a really important first step"in managing them.
Surveys commissioned by Virgin Media O2 revealed that UK adults spend an average of four hours daily on their phones, with 36% of this time occurring unintentionally. The report also highlighted that while many individuals are aware of screen time control tools, they often struggle to find the motivation to use them.
Drage, a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge, stated,
"Despite growing awareness of the downsides of habitual and excessive device use, people struggle to successfully manage their time online."
Participants in the survey reported that most smartphone use was intentional, involving activities such as messaging, using maps, or checking the weather. However, they also admitted to spending time mindlessly scrolling or flicking through apps.
The survey suggested that individuals who spend more time on their phones without a clear reason are more likely to report negative experiences, including feeling worse afterward or encountering harmful or unpleasant content.
The report, titled Age of Autopilot, is based on insights from three surveys conducted between 2024 and 2026. The latest survey included responses from approximately 6,000 people aged 16 and over regarding their feelings about screen time.
Some experts caution that relying on self-reported screen time data may not fully capture the nuances of an individual's habits or wellbeing.
Human Error in Estimating Screen Time
Prof Pete Etchells, a psychology and science communication professor at Bath Spa University, noted,
"We're really bad at estimating about time we spend doing things, particularly around tech use."
He informed the BBC that studies have shown self-reported phone use statistics are often exaggerated compared to objective measurements. This discrepancy could lead to an
"inflated correlation"when relating screen time to health outcomes.
Despite this caution, Etchells acknowledged that the Age of Autopilot report is valuable in indicating that people may be becoming more aware of their phone habits. He added,
"Being able to notice when you're using it when you don't want to or need to is a really important first step."
Understanding the impact of screen time involves recognizing that it does not inherently equate to negative effects. Instead, it is important to identify situations where phone use can lead to unwanted behaviors or dangerous activities, such as checking the phone while driving, Etchells explained.
Netta Weinstein from Reading University advised against harsh judgment of aimless phone use, noting that scrolling can provide relaxation, distraction, humor, or social connection for some users. However, she suggested it is worthwhile to consider whether such use leaves individuals feeling restored or if they emerge feeling no better or sometimes worse, stating,
"But it is worth asking whether it really leaves us feeling restored, or whether we simply emerge later feeling no better, and sometimes worse."
Moving Toward Manageable Phone Use
Experts view the findings as an opportunity to examine how smartphone design influences user habits. Etchells expressed a desire for increased pressure on technology companies regarding notifications, noting that their default activation is
"not a design choice that's got us in mind."
Rafe Clayton, senior lecturer in media and communication at Leeds University, suggested to the BBC that disabling notifications for all but essential apps could help users exercise greater control. He also recommended spending more time engaged in activities unrelated to the digital world as a strategy to reduce mindless scrolling.
Drage emphasized her objective to make device use
"manageable"and to empower users to have more influence over technology design. She stated,
"The fact is, we will be continuing to use our mini supercomputers that we carry around with us. They're really useful, they can be really enjoyable... we really do want to stay engaged. But the question is, how can we do that in a positive way?"
Drage further told the BBC,
"There's no one way that we're telling people to use our devices, but what we do want to do is help people who would like to feel more in control."
She and her colleagues at Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence plan to investigate generative AI use and its impacts through a five-year research initiative funded by Virgin Media O2.
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