Americans waste 36 days a year on content consumption — and it’s worse for General Z

The average American feels like they waste three days a month on content consumption, according to recent research.

The study of 2,000 nationally representative Americans found that 36 days of our year are wasted due to movement, streaming and fun.

And it’s worse for young people — Gen Z Americans feel like they’re missing out on more than five days a month.

The comprehensive study on media consumption trends by Talker Research also showed that consuming too much content can result in feelings of guilt, with the average respondent having three pangs of guilt a month as well.

On average, Americans consume about six hours of content per day, with Gen Z Americans consuming more than seven.

With World Mental Health Day on October 10, the data broke down respondents by self-reported mental health and found that poor mental health and media consumption are directly linked.

Those with “very poor” mental health miss almost six days a month from content consumption, while 19% of people who self-report their mental health as “very poor” think they miss 15 or more days a month.

In comparison, those with excellent and good mental health miss fewer days (2.7).

This is also related to feelings of guilt. Those with “very poor” mental health feel guilty more often, seven times a month.

Nearly half of respondents (42%) admit they feel like they consume “a lot” of media, and 36% say their mood is “often” negatively affected by something they see on social media.

Gen Z Americans were more likely to feel like they consume too much media, with 66% agreeing with that sentiment.

Interestingly, those with “very poor” mental health were also found to be more likely to use TikTok regularly (38%) and more likely to report being “very likely” to be on their phone while watching something (46%). .

Dr. Sham Singh, an MD, Ph.D. Psychology and a Harbor UCLA-trained psychiatrist at the Winit Clinic offered insights into managing screen time to ease feelings of guilt.

• Implementation of a “technology-free” zone. “Creating certain areas where technology is off-limits in your home can significantly affect your daily habits,” offers Singh. “For example, by making your bedroom a technology-free zone, you promote better sleep hygiene and relaxation, without the distractions of notifications and screens. Similarly, creating a technology-free dining room encourages meaningful conversation and family bonding during meals. These intentional spaces reduce screen time, encourage healthier interactions or enjoy quiet moments.”

• Set phone-free goals: “Before you reach for your phone, I advise you to take a moment to set a clear goal for using it,” says Singh. “Ask yourself what you need to accomplish—whether it’s checking messages, researching a topic, or responding to an email. This practice encourages a more mindful approach to technology, helping you avoid the trap of mindless scrolling. Having a defined goal allows you to stay focused on your task and minimize the likelihood of being sidetracked by social media or other distractions.”

• Reflect on your content consumption: “Keeping a journal of your experiences with different types of content can be an enlightening practice,” suggests Singh. “After consuming media – whether it’s social media, news articles or videos – take a moment to jot down your feelings and thoughts. Did you feel inspired, informed or tired? This reflection helps you discern which content enriches your life and which may seem like a waste of time. Over time, you’ll develop a clearer picture of your media consumption patterns, enabling you to make more informed choices about what to engage with in the future.”

View the full trend report here.

Survey methodology:

This double-choice random survey of 2,000 US representatives was conducted by market research firm Talker Research between July 24 and August 1, 2024, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Opinion Society and Marketing Research. (ESOMAR).