A new study has found that Britons are projected to spend an astonishing 25 years of their lifetime working in front of screens.
This research highlights the increasing role digital technology plays in the workplace as well as the potential health impacts of prolonged screen exposure.
In today’s digital world, where screens have become a daily fixture, 82 percent of jobs in the UK now require some level of digital skill, according to a report by Microsoft.
This trend is set to continue as businesses rely more heavily on technology. To understand just how much time Brits are devoting to screens, business comparison experts at Bionic conducted a comprehensive study examining screen time across different generations and life stages.
25 Years of Career Screen Time
The study’s findings reveal that over the course of a typical career, the average British worker will spend an estimated 223,015 hours, or 9,292 days, online due to work commitments. That amounts to 25 consecutive years spent staring at a screen during one’s working life.
Given that the legal working age in the UK is 16, and the State Pension age is 66, many people are engaged in their careers for approximately 50 years. According to Bionic’s analysis, half of that time—25 years—is spent looking at screens.
The Health Impact of Screen Exposure
As digital devices dominate working hours, concerns about the health effects of excessive screen time are rising. Many Brits are experiencing symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, and sleep disturbances caused by blue light emitted from screens. Online searches for “blue light glasses for work” have surged by 70 percent in the past year, underscoring growing awareness of screen-related health risks.
76% of Waking Hours Spent Online
Screen time does not stop at work. Bionic’s research also showed that once people log off for the day, their attention often shifts to other devices such as smartphones or televisions. On average, adults spend 13 hours and 2 minutes online daily, which equates to 76 percent of their waking hours.
Factoring in an average British life expectancy of 81 years, the study revealed that an individual will spend a total of 312,805 hours—or 36 consecutive years—looking at a screen throughout their life.
Expert Tips for Reducing Screen Time
To address the ever-growing amount of time spent online, Bionic consulted Susan Leigh, a counsellor and member of the Stress Management Society, for advice on how to reduce screen time outside of work. Leigh recommends several practical strategies for digital detox:
- Set a cut-off time: Establish a designated time, such as 9 p.m., to switch off devices and unwind with family or a good book.
- Be efficient with updates: Limit checking updates to specific times—morning, midday, and early evening—rather than constantly throughout the day.
- Create phone-free social settings: Encourage friends to stack phones in the middle of the table during social outings. The first to reach for their phone pays the bill.
- Wean off gradually: Slowly decrease your reliance on your phone, informing those close to you where you can be reached in case of emergency.
As screen time continues to be an integral part of work and life, finding balance and managing its effects on health has become more critical than ever.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
