People in Austria Check Their Smartphones 36 Times a Day

People in Austria Check Their Smartphones 36 Times a Day

Image: APA/dpa/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

 

A new study has revealed that people in Austria check their smartphones an average of 36 times a day.

The survey, conducted by consulting firm Deloitte, polled 500 smartphone users and found that nearly a third of respondents spend at least four hours a day on their devices. Among those aged 14 to 29, this figure rises to over five hours daily.

“At the same time, many people are becoming increasingly critical of their usage, with almost two-thirds wanting to reduce it in future,” said Florian Brence from Deloitte Austria. “While it’s unlikely this will have an immediate impact on revenue figures, network providers and hardware manufacturers should still take this shift in consumer perspective seriously.”

Negative Impact on Health and Well-Being

The survey also drew attention to the growing concerns about the negative effects of smartphone use.

One-third of respondents said they often lose track of time on their devices, leaving them feeling as though they are wasting valuable hours. Nearly a quarter admitted to feeling uncomfortable when they don’t have their phone with them or when they lose signal, while 21% felt a constant compulsion to check their devices.

“Overstimulation, exhaustion, or sleep disturbances – many Austrians suffer from excessive smartphone use. So it’s no surprise that six in ten respondents have already taken concrete steps to reduce it,” Brence added.

Life Without Smartphones?

Despite these concerns, living without a smartphone is becoming increasingly difficult.

In addition to daily communication through messaging (85%) and phone calls (81%), smartphones are heavily relied upon for internet browsing (80%), checking traffic and weather updates (61%), keeping up with news (45%) and even as alarm clocks (60%). Smartphones are also commonly used for navigation and contactless payments.

“Despite numerous concerns, the general public is unlikely to give up smartphones entirely in the future,” Brence concluded.

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