From scrolling to stressing: How phone use is affecting boomers
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When you think of people glued to their phones, it’s easy to picture teens on TikTok or twenty-somethings scrolling Instagram late at night.
But a new survey reveals a surprising twist: Baby Boomers are racking up serious screen time too—and many admit they feel uneasy without their devices.
A recent study from AddictionResource.net found that nearly half of Boomers (ages 59–77) spend more than three hours per day on their smartphones.
One in five Boomers clocks in at over five hours. For a generation that remembers a world without cell phones, that’s a remarkable shift—and it signals that digital dependence is no longer just a “young person” problem.
The survey of 2,000 adults uncovered some eye-opening habits among Boomers:
Experts stress that there isn’t one “magic number” that makes someone digitally addicted. It’s not just the hours spent online, but how that time impacts daily life.
Studies show adults who spend six or more hours a day on recreational screen time are more likely to experience moderate to severe depression.
Mental health professionals recommend aiming for under two hours of recreational screen time per day (not including work-related use).
“It’s not just about the quantity of screen time, but the quality,” says Ruth Hernandez, a mental health counselor at AddictionResource.net. “How it makes you feel, and whether it’s crowding out other parts of your life.”
Also read: A terrifying turn: What happened when this mom cut off the Wi-Fi
Cutting back isn’t easy, but experts say small changes can make a big difference. For example:
Boomers may be new to smartphones compared to younger generations, but they’re not immune to the same patterns of digital dependence.
Also read: Is your phone time creeping up? Half of boomers are using theirs more than 3 hours a day
In fact, their experiences mirror what many Millennials and Gen Z are also facing: the ongoing struggle to strike a healthy balance with technology.
And while younger people may tease Boomers for being “late to the tech party,” it’s worth remembering that every generation is still learning how to live well in a digital-first world.
Read next: Why bringing your phone to the bathroom could be bad for your health
Do you think Boomers are becoming just as phone-dependent as younger generations? Drop your thoughts in the comments—and share this article with someone who might need a reminder to unplug.
But a new survey reveals a surprising twist: Baby Boomers are racking up serious screen time too—and many admit they feel uneasy without their devices.
A recent study from AddictionResource.net found that nearly half of Boomers (ages 59–77) spend more than three hours per day on their smartphones.
One in five Boomers clocks in at over five hours. For a generation that remembers a world without cell phones, that’s a remarkable shift—and it signals that digital dependence is no longer just a “young person” problem.
The survey of 2,000 adults uncovered some eye-opening habits among Boomers:
- 40% said they feel anxious when they don’t have access to their phones.
- 50% check their devices within an hour of waking up every morning.
- 30% admitted they tried cutting back on screen time this year—but couldn’t.
- 30% regularly use their phones during meals.
From scrolling to stressing: How phone use is affecting boomers. Image source: NordWood Themes / Unsplash
Experts stress that there isn’t one “magic number” that makes someone digitally addicted. It’s not just the hours spent online, but how that time impacts daily life.
Studies show adults who spend six or more hours a day on recreational screen time are more likely to experience moderate to severe depression.
Mental health professionals recommend aiming for under two hours of recreational screen time per day (not including work-related use).
“It’s not just about the quantity of screen time, but the quality,” says Ruth Hernandez, a mental health counselor at AddictionResource.net. “How it makes you feel, and whether it’s crowding out other parts of your life.”
Also read: A terrifying turn: What happened when this mom cut off the Wi-Fi
Cutting back isn’t easy, but experts say small changes can make a big difference. For example:
- Leave your phone in another room during dinner.
- Set app timers to limit endless scrolling.
- Try one screen-free morning each week.
Boomers may be new to smartphones compared to younger generations, but they’re not immune to the same patterns of digital dependence.
Also read: Is your phone time creeping up? Half of boomers are using theirs more than 3 hours a day
In fact, their experiences mirror what many Millennials and Gen Z are also facing: the ongoing struggle to strike a healthy balance with technology.
And while younger people may tease Boomers for being “late to the tech party,” it’s worth remembering that every generation is still learning how to live well in a digital-first world.
Read next: Why bringing your phone to the bathroom could be bad for your health
