GITNUX REPORT 2024

Global Screen Time Increase During Covid 19 Statistics: Unprecedented Surge

COVID-19 skyrocketed screen time globally. Are we addicted? Statistics on the alarming increase revealed.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

E-learning platform usage surged by 78% as schools shifted to online learning.

Statistic 2

Virtual event attendance grew by 1000% as in-person events were canceled.

Statistic 3

Virtual event attendance grew by 900% in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19.

Statistic 4

Online course enrollment increased by 70% as people sought to upskill during the pandemic.

Statistic 5

Health and fitness app downloads increased by 200% during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistic 6

Streaming video consumption rose by 61% in the U.S. during lockdowns.

Statistic 7

Online gaming saw a 75% increase in usage during the pandemic.

Statistic 8

Screen time on connected TVs increased by 60% in the U.S. during the pandemic.

Statistic 9

Time spent on entertainment apps increased by 60% during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistic 10

Online streaming subscription sign-ups grew by 37% in 2020 amid the pandemic.

Statistic 11

Gaming console usage increased by 85% during the COVID-19 quarantine period.

Statistic 12

Time spent on smart home devices rose by 63% as more people stayed at home due to the pandemic.

Statistic 13

Virtual reality (VR) usage increased by 65% in 2020 with the rise of remote work and entertainment.

Statistic 14

Online video consumption rose by 47% during the stay-at-home orders in 2020.

Statistic 15

Online video game sales surged by 82% in 2020 as people looked for at-home entertainment during the pandemic.

Statistic 16

Time spent on e-books and audiobooks increased by 60% during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistic 17

Virtual museum tours saw a 200% increase in visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 18

Online shopping increased by 74% as consumers turned to e-commerce during the pandemic.

Statistic 19

Online banking usage rose by 41% as people avoided physical banks during the pandemic.

Statistic 20

Online food delivery orders increased by 63% during the pandemic.

Statistic 21

Online grocery shopping usage surged by 233% as consumers shifted to contactless shopping.

Statistic 22

Online grocery sales grew by 54% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 23

Global screen time usage increased by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 24

Time spent on social media platforms increased by 21% worldwide.

Statistic 25

Video conferencing usage jumped by 500% during the pandemic.

Statistic 26

Screen time for children aged 5-11 increased by 50% during COVID-19 restrictions.

Statistic 27

Adults aged 18-64 spent an average of 5.6 hours per day on screens during lockdown periods.

Statistic 28

Smartphone usage rose by 70% in the first month of lockdowns.

Statistic 29

Time spent on news websites and apps surged by 43% during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.

Statistic 30

Fitness app downloads increased by 46% during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistic 31

Screen time on tablets increased by 55% among older adults during COVID-19.

Statistic 32

Screen time for adults working from home increased by 2 hours per day on average during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 33

Time spent on messaging apps rose by 50% globally during the pandemic.

Statistic 34

Time spent on video calls doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 35

Screen time on smartphones increased by 25% during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Statistic 36

Time spent on digital news outlets increased by 64% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistic 37

Screen time on laptops increased by 35% among remote workers during the pandemic.

Statistic 38

Time spent on dating apps rose by 75% as people sought virtual connections.

Statistic 39

Online dating app usage increased by 82% as people sought virtual connections during lockdowns.

Statistic 40

Time spent on online forums and communities rose by 42% in 2020 as people sought virtual social interactions.

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Summary

  • Global screen time usage increased by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Streaming video consumption rose by 61% in the U.S. during lockdowns.
  • Time spent on social media platforms increased by 21% worldwide.
  • Online gaming saw a 75% increase in usage during the pandemic.
  • E-learning platform usage surged by 78% as schools shifted to online learning.
  • Video conferencing usage jumped by 500% during the pandemic.
  • Screen time for children aged 5-11 increased by 50% during COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Adults aged 18-64 spent an average of 5.6 hours per day on screens during lockdown periods.
  • Smartphone usage rose by 70% in the first month of lockdowns.
  • Online shopping increased by 74% as consumers turned to e-commerce during the pandemic.
  • Time spent on news websites and apps surged by 43% during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Screen time on connected TVs increased by 60% in the U.S. during the pandemic.
  • Online banking usage rose by 41% as people avoided physical banks during the pandemic.
  • Fitness app downloads increased by 46% during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Virtual event attendance grew by 1000% as in-person events were canceled.

In a world where screens became our windows to the outside, its no wonder that during the COVID-19 pandemic, our digital companions saw a meteoric rise in popularity. From binge-watching to virtual hangouts, the numbers speak for themselves: global screen time usage shot up by 25%, streaming video consumption soared by 61%, and online gaming experienced a jaw-dropping 75% increase. As we navigated the new normal, e-learning platforms surged by 78%, video conferencing usage skyrocketed by 500%, and even fitness app downloads got a sweat-inducing 46% boost. So, grab your device and dive into the digital extravaganza that defined our screen-heavy stay-at-home stint.

E-learning and Online Courses

  • E-learning platform usage surged by 78% as schools shifted to online learning.
  • Virtual event attendance grew by 1000% as in-person events were canceled.
  • Virtual event attendance grew by 900% in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19.
  • Online course enrollment increased by 70% as people sought to upskill during the pandemic.
  • Health and fitness app downloads increased by 200% during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Interpretation

The COVID-19 pandemic not only brought about a surge in hand sanitizers and face masks but also in our digital lives. With schools going online faster than you can say "Wi-Fi connection," e-learning platforms saw a 78% increase, leaving students and teachers alike adjusting to a new virtual reality. As in-person events became as rare as a toilet paper roll in March 2020, virtual event attendance skyrocketed by 1000%, proving that the show must go on—even if it's through a screen. And while some may have replaced their evening gym sessions with Zoom happy hours, others took the lockdowns as an opportunity to swipe right on health and fitness apps, resulting in a whopping 200% increase in downloads. So, if 2020 taught us anything, it's that when life gives you lemons, you better download that virtual lemonade-making course and start squeezing.

Online Entertainment Consumption

  • Streaming video consumption rose by 61% in the U.S. during lockdowns.
  • Online gaming saw a 75% increase in usage during the pandemic.
  • Screen time on connected TVs increased by 60% in the U.S. during the pandemic.
  • Time spent on entertainment apps increased by 60% during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Online streaming subscription sign-ups grew by 37% in 2020 amid the pandemic.
  • Gaming console usage increased by 85% during the COVID-19 quarantine period.
  • Time spent on smart home devices rose by 63% as more people stayed at home due to the pandemic.
  • Virtual reality (VR) usage increased by 65% in 2020 with the rise of remote work and entertainment.
  • Online video consumption rose by 47% during the stay-at-home orders in 2020.
  • Online video game sales surged by 82% in 2020 as people looked for at-home entertainment during the pandemic.
  • Time spent on e-books and audiobooks increased by 60% during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Virtual museum tours saw a 200% increase in visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interpretation

The exponential growth in screen time during the Covid-19 pandemic paints a vivid picture of how our reliance on technology has deepened in the face of isolation and uncertainty. From binge-watching our favorite shows to diving into immersive gaming experiences, the data reflects a societal shift towards virtual escapism and digital connections. As we witnessed a surge in online subscriptions, gaming console usage, and smart home device engagement, it's evident that our screens have become both our sanctuary and our social square. The pandemic has not only accelerated the adoption of virtual technologies but has also reshaped our relationship with entertainment, work, and leisure in a world that now revolves around the screens that anchor us in place.

Online Shopping and Retail Engagement

  • Online shopping increased by 74% as consumers turned to e-commerce during the pandemic.
  • Online banking usage rose by 41% as people avoided physical banks during the pandemic.
  • Online food delivery orders increased by 63% during the pandemic.
  • Online grocery shopping usage surged by 233% as consumers shifted to contactless shopping.
  • Online grocery sales grew by 54% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interpretation

In a world where screen time has become the new normal, it seems that our fingers have traded the flick of a phone screen for the physical touch of goods and services. Online shopping, banking, and food delivery have seen a meteoric rise during the pandemic, with e-commerce becoming our trusted companion through tumultuous times. As we navigate these digital aisles and virtual wallets with increasing dexterity, it's clear that the pandemic has not only reshaped our daily routines but also accelerated our embrace of a more convenient, contactless future. As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make sure to order them online for doorstep delivery.

Screen Time Usage

  • Global screen time usage increased by 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Time spent on social media platforms increased by 21% worldwide.
  • Video conferencing usage jumped by 500% during the pandemic.
  • Screen time for children aged 5-11 increased by 50% during COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Adults aged 18-64 spent an average of 5.6 hours per day on screens during lockdown periods.
  • Smartphone usage rose by 70% in the first month of lockdowns.
  • Time spent on news websites and apps surged by 43% during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Fitness app downloads increased by 46% during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Screen time on tablets increased by 55% among older adults during COVID-19.
  • Screen time for adults working from home increased by 2 hours per day on average during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Time spent on messaging apps rose by 50% globally during the pandemic.
  • Time spent on video calls doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Screen time on smartphones increased by 25% during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Time spent on digital news outlets increased by 64% during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Screen time on laptops increased by 35% among remote workers during the pandemic.

Interpretation

In the midst of a global pandemic, our screens have become both our lifelines and our captors, pulling us into endless scrolling sessions and back-to-back video calls like a digital abyss we can't escape. As we stayed at home, our screen time soared to record-breaking heights, with smartphones becoming extensions of our hands and laptops turning into our constant companions. From fitness apps to news websites, we turned to our screens for information, connection, and even the illusion of productivity during these uncertain times. Our newfound digital dependency reflects not just a shift in behavior, but a reflection of our collective need for distraction, information, and virtual companionship in a world that suddenly feels smaller yet infinitely more complex.

Social Media Engagement

  • Time spent on dating apps rose by 75% as people sought virtual connections.
  • Online dating app usage increased by 82% as people sought virtual connections during lockdowns.
  • Time spent on online forums and communities rose by 42% in 2020 as people sought virtual social interactions.

Interpretation

As the world retreated behind screens during the Covid-19 pandemic, so did our quest for connection. With dating apps seeing a 75% surge in usage, love wasn't just in the air, but also in pixels and emojis. The 82% spike in online dating app activity served as a digital bridge in the age of social distancing, proving that even in times of crisis, the pursuit of romance prevails – albeit with a touch of virtual flair. Meanwhile, the 42% increase in time spent on online forums and communities highlighted our innate human need for social interactions, even if only through pixels and usernames. In a year when physical boundaries restrained us, our digital selves roamed free, seeking solace and camaraderie in the vast expanses of the online world.

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