The Hard Shoulder Tech Takeover: New research reveals screen time averages
Dec 10, 2025
Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, dives into the latest research on screen time. Adults are averaging 4.5 hours online daily, with Google and Meta dominating usage. Surprisingly, 94% of adults use YouTube for about 51 minutes a day! Jess highlights concerning trends in kids' screen time and urges parents to limit device access in bedrooms. They also discuss the financial risks of microtransactions for children. Plus, Jess shares tips on using Goodreads for tracking reading and recommends a fun STEM book for kids.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Adults' Daily Screen Time And Platform Concentration
- Ofcom found adults now spend an average of four and a half hours online daily, up 10 minutes from last year.
- Around half of all online time is spent with services owned by Alphabet or Meta, showing concentrated platform dominance.
YouTube's Huge Reach Among Adults
- YouTube is used by 94% of adults and averages about 51 minutes daily per Ofcom's report.
- YouTube usage is rising, making it a major part of adults' online time alongside Google services.
Why She Pays For YouTube Premium
- Jess Kelly describes unsubscribing from several streaming services but keeping YouTube Premium at ~£13 for ad-free use.
- She watches more YouTube than traditional TV and uses it as her primary entertainment source across devices.