Average Screen Time for Teens (2025)

10/02/25
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TL;DR Summary of Teen Screen Time Trends and Statistics for 2025

Teen screen time has surged to an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes daily, representing 43% of their waking hours. Since 2015, there has been a nearly 2-hour increase in daily screen usage among teens, with boys spending more time than girls. The majority of this time is dedicated to watching TV/videos, followed by gaming and social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.

Optimixed’s Overview: Understanding the Rising Screen Time Habits of Modern Teenagers

Increasing Screen Time Among Teens: Key Insights

Since 2015, teenage screen time has steadily climbed, with recent data indicating an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per day spent on various digital devices. This reflects a significant behavioral shift, with teens dedicating nearly half their waking hours to screen-based activities.

Screen Time Growth and Demographic Differences

  • Growth Over Time: From 6 hours 40 minutes in 2015 to 8 hours 39 minutes in 2021, teen screen time increased by almost 2 hours.
  • Gender Variations: Teenage boys average 9 hours 16 minutes daily, while girls spend about 8 hours 2 minutes.
  • Comparison with Tweens: Younger children (8-12 years) exhibit lower screen time, averaging 5 hours 33 minutes as of 2021.

Breakdown of Screen Time Activities

Teens allocate their screen time primarily to:

  • TV and Videos: 3 hours 16 minutes daily, nearly twice the duration of other activities.
  • Gaming: 1 hour 46 minutes.
  • Social Media: 1 hour 27 minutes, with platforms like TikTok (up to 1 hour 53 minutes daily in the US) and Snapchat leading usage.
  • Other Activities: Include browsing websites, video-chatting, e-reading, and content creation.

Parental Attitudes and Teen Awareness

While 47% of parents allow more than 3 hours of daily screen time, and 85% permit at least an hour, 38% of teens acknowledge they spend too much time on smartphones. Despite concerns, the majority (51%) feel their usage is appropriate.

Implications and Trends

The increasing reliance on screens, especially among teenagers, raises important questions about health, social development, and content consumption patterns. As screen time climbs, understanding these trends is critical for parents, educators, and policymakers looking to balance digital engagement with wellbeing.