In an average teenager’s daily life, they spend 19 out of the 24 hours on necessary activities such as sleep, school, and meal/chores, leaving them with 5 hours of free time. But the average teen is projected to spend 80% of that (4 hours) on digital media. This leaves them with only 1 hour (just 4 percent) out of the day to do the things that actually matter, like meaningful conversations, reading a good book, or enjoying nature.  

In fact, some researchers argue that our generation is projected to be the first generation to die having consumed more of other people’s memories than having created their own. This is because they suffer from unhealthy digital habits, a problem where people are unable to control mainly how much time on and how they use digital devices.

In contrast, digital balance means using technology intentionally rather than impulsively—maintaining healthy boundaries so devices support daily life instead of overwhelming it. Whereas unhealthy digital usage drains time, focus, and well-being, digital balance restores control, clarity, and purpose. However, most teenagers practice unhealthy digital usage instead of digital balance, although unwittingly.

Nearly all U.S. teens (96%) use the internet daily, with the majority active on YouTube (90%), TikTok (60%), or Instagram (60%) (Pew Research Center, 2024). Research shows heavy social media use can also harm sleep for teens, reduce productivity, and negatively affect mental health and academic performance.