A recent survey has shed light on just how much time Americans spend online — and it might be less than expected. Despite the perception that many live their lives entirely through screens, the poll found that adults spend just over 10 hours per day on the internet, including streaming videos and browsing the web. Conducted by the telecommunications company Optimum, the findings revealed that digital engagement has become deeply embedded in daily routines.
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According to responses from 2,000 adults, internet use is largely divided between watching videos, shopping, browsing social media, and handling online tasks such as paying bills. Interestingly, only 37% reported using the internet for work purposes, and just 20% used it for school-related tasks. Meanwhile, doomscrolling and casual browsing proved significantly more common. Of those surveyed, 55% said they preferred watching videos via a television, while 40% favoured smartphones over computers or tablets for general online activity.
Eric Bruno, senior vice president of product management at Optimum, commented: “This new survey was eye-opening for the Optimum team. We were amazed to see how many hours people are watching, shopping and browsing online on a daily basis.” He added that the findings highlighted the increasing reliance on strong and affordable internet access, now seen as essential infrastructure in modern life.
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Despite growing awareness of excessive screen time, reducing usage remains a challenge. Research from AllConnect in 2023 suggested that one in three American adults had attempted to cut back their online time, yet daily demands make that difficult. As Alex Turvy of Tulane University explained, much of today’s screen time is “unavoidable,” reflecting the realities of work, communication, and entertainment in a digitally dominated world.
