# Phone Addiction: Admitting It Is the First Step Over half of adults complain about excessive phone use. Here are actionable solutions. - **Source:** [CNET](https://brifing.si/source/ce507de7-7f24-4ff4-ab6d-7635abcc095a) - **Published:** 2026-09-02 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c204c946-077e-495f-8d1d-07e71e9066cb ## A widespread issue According to Pew Research Center's summer 2024 survey, 53% of adults admit to overusing their phones. Among 18-29 year olds, this figure jumps to 70%. In the US, average daily phone usage reaches 5 hours 16 minutes. Globally, people check their phones 58 times per day. The instant gratification loop makes this habit particularly hard to break. ## Time consumption reality Five hours of daily phone use accumulates to 76 full days per year. Starting from January 1st, this equals continuous phone use until St. Patrick's Day. Semrush data shows this time rapidly increases through shopping, social media, gaming and news consumption. The psychological pull of instant access creates a self-reinforcing cycle of dependency. ## Deadly road risks The NHTSA reported 3,208 fatalities in 2024 from phone-related distracted driving accidents. Reading a text takes eyes off the road for 5 seconds—equivalent to driving a football field's length blindfolded at 55 mph. In the UK, 41% of accident victims suffered phone-related injuries, with selfie-related deaths making Wikipedia's grim list. ## Mental health impacts Columbia University psychiatry research links excessive phone use to anxiety, depression and social isolation. 41% of users report sleep quality deterioration, while 34% experience productivity loss. The study particularly highlights correlation between social media use and self-harm ideation among younger demographics. Digital overload shows measurable psychological consequences. ## Failed reduction attempts Only 25% of those trying to reduce phone use considered themselves 'very successful,' with 52% reporting partial success. 46% admitted making no attempt at all. Behavioral scientists emphasize that structural solutions—not just willpower—are necessary for meaningful habit change. Environmental redesign proves more effective than self-monitoring alone. ## App hiding strategy CNET's Zachary McAuliffe recommends iPhone users hide apps in App Library folders. This creates friction against mindless app opening during boredom. "I forgot about hidden apps, which reminded me to delete unused ones," McAuliffe notes. The method leverages out-of-sight, out-of-mind psychology to break automatic usage patterns. ## Tech-assisted solutions Devices like Brick enable one-button app blocking with timers tracking phone-free duration. CNET's recommended anti-doomscrolling tools include five tech solutions. Brick, an Editors' Choice, stands out for its physical locking mechanism. Such interventions create necessary barriers against compulsive checking behaviors. ## Call for mindful usage Research increasingly demonstrates phone addiction's physical and mental health consequences. Experts urge tech companies to share responsibility through design ethics. Small behavioral changes, when sustained, can significantly improve life quality. The solution requires both individual action and systemic digital wellbeing innovations. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/addicted-to-phone-screen-time-pew-research-2/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._