Screen time, phone usage, and social media usage: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Technology use has increased in the past several years, especially among younger generations. The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed how people work, learn, and interact, with many utilizing technology for daily tasks and socializing. Methods: The current study investigated a sample of college students using a cross-sectional design to determine whether there was a change in how much time students spent on screens, phones, and social media. Results: Findings indicated that time on screens and phones was significantly higher during the pandemic; however, time spent on social media did not differ significantly. Conclusion: These findings suggest that students are spending more time working and socializing on their screens and phones, yet social media may not be the platform in which students are doing this. Future studies should further explore technology usage and whether these trends during the COVID-19 pandemic will be lasting.