New Delhi: Doomscrolling is no longer just an internet term but a fact of reality for many. A survey by Virgin Media O2 found that people in the United Kingdom are set to spend almost 4.7 years of their lives using their phones unintentionally.
The year-long study conducted across more than 6,000 people aged 16 and above found a clear relationship between unintentional phone use and poorer outcomes across sleep, focus and mental wellbeing.
“This isn’t just a question of people making unwise choices, but that we are undermined by the immersive nature of the technology,” said Eleanor Drage of Cambridge University, according to the BBC.
According to the survey, almost 36 per cent of phone use takes place without a clear purpose. This counts to almost one hour and 26 minutes each day.
What do people do on their phones?
According to the British telecommunications company, six in ten people admitted that because of their excessive phone use, they are “not fully present in real-life moments – spending time with loved-ones or enjoying live music.”
The report titled “UK on track to spend nearly five years on their phones unintentionally, landmark study finds” also found that most doomscrollers are also more likely to come across harmful or violent content online. Almost 24 per cent reported having been exposed to such content.
More than half of the surveyed individuals said that their phone notifications influenced how often they check their devices. Almost 41 per cent said that autoplay and infinite scrolling affect their screen time.
Another 69 per cent said that they found that digital platforms are designed to encourage use.
“We are not using our devices in the way we intend. The widening gap between our intentions and our actions will not be resolved by individuals. Efforts to transform digital wellbeing require systemic change, including reshaping the environments within which we engage with technology,” Drage said in a statement.
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Why are people online?
Even while social media trends of going analogue are gaining popularity, internet usage continues to thrive.
Regardless of the growing downfalls of excessive social media use and screen time, individuals continue to spend hours on their phones.
“Despite growing awareness of the downsides of habitual and excessive device use, people struggle to successfully manage their time online,” Drage added.
Researchers found that almost 41 per cent say that willpower alone is not enough to correct their behaviour. Another 39 per cent admitted to being addicted to their phones.