Content Consumption: We’re Spending 1/4 Of Our Lives Doing It
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Ever feel like all you do is scroll, stream, and watch? You’re not alone. A new poll says the average American now spends six hours a day consuming content, according to a new study by Talker Research. That’s nearly a quarter of our lives, or if we’re talking waking hours, more than a third. And that’s everything from streaming movies and TikToks to reading books or listening to the radio.
We definitely approve the radio consumption.
But, let’s face it, it’s almost like having a part-time job in content consumption.
Here are some surprising stats:
- Age Matters: Gen Z leads the way, clocking in at six hours and 36 minutes a day. Meanwhile, even people in their 80s are putting in four hours and 48 minutes. Content isn’t just for the young; everyone’s getting in on it.
- The Cost of Content: On average, people spend $67 a month on streaming and media services. Netflix, Prime, and Hulu are at the top, with cable now sitting in fourth place.
- Bedtime Browsing: Content consumption doesn’t stop when we go to bed. Among Gen Z, a whopping 79% say they “often” or “always” scroll through their phones in bed. Only 2% say they never do. The habit decreases slightly with age, but Gen X isn’t far behind.
- Guilt Trips: About three times a month, the average American feels guilty for “wasting” time on content. That “one more episode” feeling? It’s real.
- New vs. Old: Rewatching old favorites is almost as popular as exploring new shows and movies, even for Gen Z. Half prefer watching something new, 37% love rewatching their favorite stuff, and 13% say they’re up for either.
Whether it’s streaming marathons, doom-scrolling, or binging audiobooks, content has a huge place in our lives. The question is, are we consuming it, or is it consuming us?
Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.
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