The pandemic's effect on screen time & web usage
By: Caitlin Jefferson
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic affected each individual differently. Some people took up new hobbies, some spent more time with friends and family, and some may have discovered joy in books or nature. One thing we all had in common though, was that most of us spent way too much time on the Internet. You may be shaking your head no or laughing because you know it’s true. However, the statistics do not lie. Let us first take a look at web traffic and app usage from Jan. 21 to March 24, 2020.
See what I mean? The Facebook, Netflix, and YouTube websites all saw a major increase, as did the Facebook app, while the Netflix and YouTube apps either stayed about the same or dropped. Americans sought out online entertainment in record numbers to fill the void of not being able to gather publicly.
Before the pandemic
According to a 2020 New York Times article, users of Facebook, Netflix, and YouTube were increasingly moving to their smartphones before the pandemic. This put a heavier focus on mobile devices. Sitting inside all day clearly made it unpleasant to stare at tiny screens though. The proof is in the numbers. Data from SimilarWeb indicates that Facebook, YouTube, and Netflix have seen an increase in website traffic and a decrease in app usage. This is likely because users switched to using their laptops or desktops to get their fix of content and entertainment.
During the pandemic & present day
Not only did people want to be entertained by social media and streaming services, they also yearned for ways to see other people. Virtually, that is. Google’s video chatting app, Houseparty, Duo, Zoom, Skype, and more are just some examples of video chat platforms that saw a major boost during the pandemic. Apps like Nextdoor, a social media platform that connects local neighborhoods, saw a major spike as well as more people wanted to connect on a local level.
Furthermore, we saw our workplaces and schools completely transform into online environments. Sites like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams skyrocketed to popularity in March 2020 and have stuck around since then, as schools and workplaces have adapted to this new reality of virtual work and school.
Overall, the uptake of the Internet has accelerated during the pandemic, according to the International Telecommunication Union. ITU reports that in 2019, 4.1 billion people were using the Internet, which is 54 percent of the world’s population. In 2021, there were 4.9 billion people surfing the web, making up 63 percent of the world’s population. This increase accounts for the need to connect virtually for work and school, and the simple desire for some sort of human interaction while most of the world was locked inside.
According to the Pew Research Center, 90 percent of Americans say that the Internet has been essential or important to them. This brings us to present day, as most people are now reliant on the Internet for constant connection, whether it be for work, school, or pleasure. The amount who say it has been essential, 58 percent, is up from the 53 percent that was recorded in April 2020. It seems as though the time people spend online and the number of people using the Internet is going up and will most likely keep going up. Working from home and taking classes online has never been more popular and has transformed the way we live and work.
Zoom fatigue
Although working and taking classes from home might seem easier, there are “side effects.” You may or may not have heard of this term, but you can probably relate to it in some way or another. Zoom fatigue. Whether you’ve experienced burnout from Zoom or surfing the web or social media, this term applies to you. This was speculated to be an issue during the height of the pandemic. Another Pew Research survey found that 40 percent of those who have ever talked with others via video calls since the start of the pandemic say they felt worn out and fatigued by the amount of time they’ve spent on them. Additionally, 72% of parents of children in grades K-12 say their kids are averaging more screen time than they were before the pandemic. The constant digital interaction has taken a toll on everyone, no matter their age, in some way since the start of COVID-19.
Direction we’re headed
We will most likely continue to see an increase of digital activity, whether that be more people working from home, an increase in online shopping, or the rise of tele-heath. The pandemic made us pretty reliant on the web and social media, so it is safe to say that the online world is here to stay. It will be interesting to see how much more society begins to rely the Internet for healthcare, school, work, and other things.