# data[].attributes.body
This photo was published on November 10, 2019. It relates to my topic because it shows how people obsess over social media. It was published by Matt Bors. It relates to my topic because it shows how people spend way to much time obsessing over social media. It supports my claim because it shows that people are on platforms way to much. The purpose of this article is to show how people are crazy over their social media. Click on the photo and it should be a cartoon with 4 different boxes.

# data[].attributes.body
This photo was published in 2019. It relates to my topic because it showing how people spend time on social media. Anderson Council published this picture. It relates to my topic because people are on social media for long hours worrying about others. This supports my claim because it is symbolizing how people are on it for to much time. The purpose of this is to show how people are on social media worrying about others.

# data[].attributes.body
This photo was published in 2020. It relates to my topic because it states that people spend way to much time on social media. This photo was published by Amy Mcilwain. It relates to my topic because It is showing that people are on social media way to much. It supports my claim because its symbolizing how people are on their social media way to much. The purpose is to show that people are on social media too much. You have to scroll down a little.

# data[].attributes.body
This photo was published on January 27, 2021. It relates to my topic because its showing the numbers of hours on social media. This photo was published by Simon Kemp. It relates to my claim because it states that people spend from 1-2 hours and 45 minutes on social media. It supports my claim because I stated that people should be on social media from 1-2 hours. The purpose of this photo is to show hour social media hours are being increased between 1-2 hours a day.

# data[].attributes.body
This photo doesn't have a published date. This relates to my topic because it shows how much time people spend averagely on social media. This photo doesn't have a author. This relates to my claim because it is showing how much time people are spending online. This supports my claim because it shows the average number of hours range from 1-2 hours a day. I claimed that people should spend from 1-2 hours online. The purpose of this article it to show the average number of hours online every year.

# data[].attributes.body
This video was published on June 12, 2019. This relates to my topic because it tells me how much time I should be spending on social media. Katie Lance was the publisher of this video. This supports my claim because Katie states that having to much time on social media isn't good for you. She also comes up with strategies to help you not spend as much time on social media. For example she tells you to make a list on how long you spend every day. The purpose of this video is to tell the reader there are solutions to spending too much time online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Much Time Should You Spend On Social Media | #GetSocialSmart Show Episode 128

# data[].attributes.body
This video was published on November 14, 2018. This relates to my topic because it tells me how 30 minutes to an hour a day can be beneficial to your health. The publisher of the video is Huff Post. This supports my claim because it states how less social media can be beneficial. The purpose of this is to tell people that to much social media or screen time alone can help your well being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Much Time You Should Spend On Social Media?

# data[].attributes.body
This article was published November 14, 2018. This information relates to my topic because it state their is benefits to having less usage of screen time. Lindsey Holmes was the author of this article. It relates to my claim because it tells me that having less usage of screen time can help you sleep better, it also leads to better mental health. It doesn't support my claim because it states that people should only have 30 minutes of social media a day. The purpose of this is to state that to much screen time is unhealthy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's no secret that scrolling through endless images and announcements of engagements, vacations, new babies and job promotions can make you feel like you're not accomplishing anything. But it's pretty much impossible to log off forever and never look back.

Here's the good news: There might be a sweet spot when it comes to the amount of time you spend on social media. Keeping your use down to just 30 minutes a day can lead to better mental health outcomes, according to research being published in December in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania looked at social media use among 143 undergraduate students in two separate trials. One trial occurred in the spring and the other a few months later in the fall.

The study authors monitored the participants' social media use for a week across three platforms ― Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat ― to get a baseline. Then researchers gauged the students' mental health based on seven different factors: social support, fear of missing out, loneliness, self-acceptance, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Next, the authors separated the students into groups and conducted the experiment for three weeks. One group was told to keep using social media as usual; another group was tasked with limiting social media use to 10 minutes per platform a day. Researchers then looked at how the students fared in the seven categories after the experiment.

Oscar Wong via Getty Images

When study volunteers cut down their social media use to 30 minutes per day total, they experienced a "significant improvement in well-being," exhibiting reduced loneliness and depression, the authors wrote. Anxiety and FOMO decreased in both groups, which researchers said could be due to increased self-monitoring during the experiment portion of the study.

"It is a little ironic that reducing your use of social media actually makes you feel less lonely," lead study author Melissa Hunt told ScienceDaily. "Some of the existing literature on social media suggests there's an enormous amount of social comparison that happens. When you look at other people's lives, particularly on Instagram, it's easy to conclude that everyone else's life is cooler or better than yours."

"When you look at other people's lives, particularly on Instagram, it's easy to conclude that everyone else's life is cooler or better than yours."

There are a few caveats with this study: The participants only used iPhones in the experiment because the devices can track and provide objective social media app usage data. The study also only monitored students who used Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, so it doesn't reflect experiences with other social media platforms (shoutout to anyone who goes down the negative rabbit hole known as Twitter). The study authors also don't know if these findings could be replicated for another age group.

All that aside, there is something to be said for limiting social media while still being realistic about the fact that you're never going to ditch it entirely. Research has shown that excessive Facebook use can contribute to increased depression and loneliness, and a 2014 study found that social media use can create social comparison, which can lead to lower self-esteem.

Bottom line: We can all benefit from a little break. The marriage status updates, dog filters, sarcastic tweets and food porn photos will still be there when we go back.

Clarification: Language in this story has been amended to remove the age range for the undergraduate students participating in the study, which the study authors did not specify.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
This Is How Much Time You Should Spend On Social Media Per Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's no secret that scrolling through endless images and announcements of engagements, vacations, new babies and job promotions can make you feel like you're not accomplishing anything. But it's pretty much impossible to log off forever and never look back.

# data[].attributes.body
This Article was published on October 16, 2020. It relates to my topic because it explains how certain ages should have minimum number of hours online alone. It also tells me the side affects of to much screen time such as head aches and obesity. Madeline Kennedy wrote this article. This supports my claim because the author states that having to much time online can affect your health. The purpose of this article is to state that kids shouldn't be exposed to lots of hours at a young age due to side effects.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children younger than 5 years old should have very limited screen time and mainly use screens for educational purposes.

For children older than 5 and adults, there are not as strict guidelines, but you should be careful that screen time doesn't interfere with relationships or responsibilities.

Too much screen time has been shown to increase the risk for behavior problems in children, obesity, trouble sleeping, and back and neck issues.

The article was medically reviewed by Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.

Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.

Both kids and adults are spending more and more time using screens - for everything from work and school to socializing and having fun. But spending too much time using screens can have harmful consequences for your health, your emotions, and brain development in children.

Here's what you need to know about how much screen time is healthy and when you need to set limits.

How much screen time is healthy

In the US, kids between ages 8 and 12 spend an average of 4 to 6 hours per day looking at screens, while teenagers may spend as much as 9 hours per day. Adults in the US spend even more time on screens - on average just over 10.5 hours each day.

There are no hard and fast guidelines for how much screen time you should get as an adult. But for kids, experts have recommendations based on age, to ensure that screen time won't interfere with a child's development.

0 to 18 months: Babies younger than 18 months shouldn't be getting any screen time unless they are video chatting with family members. "Instead, the recommendations are to focus on and encourage play, reading, and interactions between parent and child," says Angela Mattke, MD, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center.

18 to 24 months: At this age, kids can have some screen time, but it should be limited to watching educational content with a parent or caregiver. "We recommend they focus on exposing them to high-quality programming and apps such as PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop, and things discussed in Common Sense Media," Mattke says.

2 to 5 years: At this point, kids can start to have recreational screen time outside of education, but it should be limited. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends getting no more than one hour on weekdays and three hours on weekend days.

Older than 5: There is no one-size-fits-all approach for how much screen time older kids and adults should get, Mattke says. A general rule of thumb is that screen time shouldn't interfere with learning, relationships with peers and family, physical activity, sleep, or their mental health.

For older kids and adults, it's hard to put an exact number on how much screen time is too much. However, research shows that there are many ways excessive screen time can damage your physical and mental health.

Negative effects of too much screen time

Here are some of the most common issues that can arise when you spend too much time using screens.

Behavior and learning problems in children

Putting on the TV or playing a YouTube video may calm your child in the moment, but too much screen time can lead to behavioral issues over time. "Excessive TV viewing is associated with delays in cognition, language, and social-emotional development," Mattke says.

A 2015 study found that two-year-olds who watched more than three hours of TV per day were three times more likely to have a delay in their language development, compared with toddlers who watched less than one hour. This may be because children learn more easily from interacting with people and objects compared with a screen.

Too much screen time can also harm children's' and teens' mental health. A very large 2018 study found that teens who used screens for 7 or more hours per day were twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety, compared with those who used screens for less than one hour.

The type of media a child sees can also have an effect on their behavior, as children can imitate actions they see on TV as early as 6 months old. "There are strong associations between violent media content and child aggressive behavior," Mattke says.

Obesity

Most of the time when you are looking at a screen, you are sitting or lying down. This means that as you spend more time on screens, you also spend more time being sedentary, which can increase your risk of obesity, along with chronic issues like heart disease.

Being in front of a screen can also make you more likely to mindlessly snack. A 2008 study found that children who cut down their screen time by 50% ate significantly fewer calories than those who kept their normal screen time schedule.

Adults who spend more time on screens are also at greater risk for obesity. A very large 2003 study that followed middle-aged women over six years found that for every two hours spent watching TV each day, women were 23% more likely to become .

Sleep problems

"There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that media use negatively affects sleep for both children and adults," Mattke says. This is partly because electronic devices emit a type of blue light that can lower your levels of melatonin, a hormone that regulates when you sleep and wake up.

Related

How to know if you have insomnia and what you can do to treat your sleep troubles

A 2019 study found that too much screen time can lead to symptoms of insomnia in teenagers. Teens who used screens for more than 3 hours per day had a significantly harder time falling asleep than those who used screens less often.

The negative effect of screens may be most harmful in the hours before bedtime. About 90% of Americans say they use a technological device less than an hour before they go to bed, which can reduce the essential rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that makes you feel rested the next morning.

Related

25 science-backed tips for how to sleep better

Experts recommend that you stop using screens ideally two hours, or at the least 30 minutes before you go to sleep.

Back and neck issues

Looking down at a phone or tablet screen for too many hours can put a lot of strain on your neck muscles and the small bones at the top of your spine. This is because it creates a slumped posture which is unnatural for us to keep for extended periods.

A very large 2010 study found that teens who spent more time using screens were more likely to report having headaches and backaches than less frequent screen users.

Related

Exercises that help you deal with chronic pain while working from home

If you need to spend extended time using a screen, experts advise that you use a device to prop up the screen so you can see it without bending your head forward.

The bottom line

It's almost impossible to avoid using screens in our daily lives, but we can set limits on how many hours we spend on devices. For kids, it's best to follow expert guidelines to avoid early issues with learning and behavior. As an adult, you need to decide what works best for you - if you are concerned that your screen use is causing issues, talk to your doctor or a mental health provider about how you can adjust your daily habits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How much screen time is too much? Follow these guidelines for your child to avoid harmful health effects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children younger than 5 years old should have very limited screen time and mainly use screens for educational purposes. For children older than 5 and adults, there are not as strict guidelines, but you should be careful that screen time doesn't interfere with relationships or responsibilities.

# data[].attributes.body
This article was published on August 24, 2020. It relates to my topic by telling me that in the United states alone people spend above average time on social media. Gary Henderson published this article. This supports my claim because It tells us that almost everyone spends more time than needed on social media, rather than a healthy amount of time. The purpose of this article is to state that the United states alone is above average on hours per day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Theophrastus, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said that "time is the most valuable thing a man can spend".

What makes social media so special that billions of people spend a considerable part of their lives browsing social networking sites?

Social media gives people a voice and an opportunity to listen, engage, and build relationships.

Seven out of ten Americans use social media to communicate, share information, and find exciting content. A massive number of companies consider social media a critical part of their digital marketing strategy.

Let's dig deep and find how much time an average person spends on social media.

How Much Time People Spend On Social Media

3.96 billion people use social media today, which accounts for roughly half (51%) of the global population.

On average, global internet users spent 144 minutes on social media sites every day.

These stats seem more exciting when we consider the restriction that only those aged 13 and above can use most social media platforms.

If we take kids (under 13) out of the equation, 65% of the world's eligible population has a presence on social media.

When it comes to countries with the most time spent on social media per day, the Philippines is at the top with users spending an average of 3 hours and 53 minutes on social media per day.

In the United States, people spend 2 hours and 3 minutes on social media each day.

The total number of global social media users has surged by more than 10% over the past 12 months.

Did you know social media welcomes more than 1 million new users every single day?

Time Spent On Social Media: Mobile vs. Desktop

We have been watching the exciting battle between desktop and mobile since 1996 when the world saw the first mobile with internet access.

When you look at the stats today, mobile devices are clearly taking over desktops from social media to e-commerce. Increased use of mobile devices is one of the major forces behind unprecedented social media growth.

80% of global internet users access social media through mobile devices. People just love to use social media sites on the go.

One of the notable factors is the camera on smartphones. People take photos and share them across social media in a jiffy. Desktop doesn't allow this kind of features and flexibility.

From a business standpoint, it's critical for marketers and business owners to observe the impact of the ongoing shift from desktop to mobile. The common behavior shift of the global social media users from desktop to mobile means a lot.

How Frequently Does The Average Person Touch Or Pick Up Their Phone?

Life seems incomplete without mobile phones. Stats tell us exactly how important mobile devices are to modern life.

People, on average, interact (swipe, type, click, tap) with their phone a whopping 2,617 times each day. The number rises to 5,427 when it comes to heavy mobile users.

One of the studies reveals that a typical mobile user goes through 150 mobile-device sessions every day.

What Ages Use Social Media?

US adults spend an average of 38 minutes on Facebook alone. While young adults continue to use social media sites at high levels, usage by older adults has increased over the years.

People aged 16-29 spend the most time (3 hours daily) on social networking platforms, while aged adults between 45 and 54 spend 1 hour and 39 minutes every day. Millennials spend around 2 hours and 30 minutes on social media.

The pattern indicates that younger people spend the most time on social media channels.

The Most Used Social Media Platform

Whopping 3.96 billion users actively use social media, spending most of their social media time on the following platforms:

Facebook and Facebook Messenger

Social media companies usually don't share information about how much time people spend on a platform.

However, Facebook is one of the biggest social media platforms where an average user spends 38 minutes each day.

Despite the rumors that people have started abandoning the 15-year old platform, Facebook still has 1.79 billion daily active users. More than half of the Facebook users aged between 18 and 34.

Instagram

With over 500 million active daily users sharing 250 million stories each day, Instagram is the second most popular platform in terms of daily time spent. Social media users spend almost as much time on Instagram as they do on Facebook.

In 2019, users were spending an average of 27 minutes per day on the platform.

Like other popular social media giants, Instagram is also an attractive platform for the young generation.

64% of Instagram users are aged between 18-29. Only 21% of Instagram users are aged between 50 and 64. Therefore, Instagram is an ideal place for businesses looking to target a youth audience.

Pinterest

With over fifty billion pins and 1 billion boards, Pinterest is a rapidly growing platform where an average user spends 14.2 minutes on each visit.

However, statistics suggest that the number is increasing over time.

While the average time spent on Pinterest is increasing, businesses have to offer highly engaging content to make the most of this time. Besides, more than 80% of their web traffic comes from mobile devices.

YouTube

The largest video-sharing platform has a global audience of over 2 billion monthly active users. However, YouTube is nowhere near to Facebook in terms of active daily users.

At the same time, YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google. While people consume 1 billion hours of video content every day, an average user spends 11 minutes 24 seconds per day on YouTube.

An average American adult spends 24 minutes daily on YouTube.

Generally speaking, the average time kids spend watching online videos has doubled in 4 years

LinkedIn

Linkedin is the most popular social media network among professionals. However, people don't spend as much time on Linkedin as they do on Facebook or YouTube.

Linkedin users spend an average of 17 minutes per month on the platform.

Linkedin is the 17th most popular website in the US and 28th most popular website globally. The platform not only helps individuals with their career-related pursuits but also makes life easier for marketers and business managers who are trying to network.

Twitter

Given the nature of the platform, the average time spent on Twitter is around 3:39 minutes per session.

Twitter has gained dramatic popularity and growth over the last few years. With over 330 million active monthly users, Twitter is an incredible social media channel where people share and find bite-sized news.

Like most social media sites, the biggest chunk of Twitter traffic comes from mobile.

TikTok

Launched in 2017, TikTok is growing at an incredibly rapid pace. TikTok users spend an average of 46 minutes per day watching videos on the app. An average TikTok users opens up the app 8 times in a day.

TikTok is a highly addictive social media candy that urges people to keep watching short videos. People can use a variety of in-app features (music, effects) to create amazing 15-second videos and share them with the world.

Within a few years, TikTok has become the 7th most downloaded app in the last decade.

WhatsApp

Chances are that most of the internet users have WhatsApp on their phones and they use it on a daily basis. The app has over 2 billion active users around the globe.

53% of WhatsApp users in the United States use the app at least once a day. WhatsApp users spend an average of 28 minutes daily on the app.

An average user opens up the app 23-25 times a day. The amount of time we spend on social media, particularly on WhatsApp, will only grow down the road.

Snapchat

Snapchat users use the app over 30 times per day, spending an average of 28 minutes.

The multimedia messaging app has over 238 daily active users and is one of the most popular social media sites among younger generations.

The app has over 46 million monthly active users in the US alone.

Conclusion

People spend a lot of time on social media. Don't they?

From posting photos on Instagram to checking Facebook while eating, social media plays a key role in our daily lives.

While businesses leverage the power of social media to drive awareness and achieve growth, individuals use these platforms to stay connected, entertained and informed.

The average time spent on social media varies from country to country. However, people spend an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes per day globally.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Much Time Does The Average Person Spend On Social Media?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Theophrastus, an ancient Greek philosopher, once said that "time is the most valuable thing a man can spend". What makes social media so special that billions of people spend a considerable part of their lives browsing social networking sites? Social media gives people a voice and an opportunity to listen, engage, and build relationships.

# data[].attributes.body
This article was published in 2020. This information relates to my topic because it tells me that the average person should spend from 5-20  hours weekly on social media. It was published by United Methodist Church. This supports my claim because it shows that an average person shouldn't spend more than 1-2 hours on social media. This article tells me that people shouldn't have more than 20 hours a week on social media or screen time alone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The amount of time that any congregation spends using social media to promote its ministries will depend much on the size of the congregation and staff. Small- and average-sized congregations may find it necessary to limit themselves to only one or two social networks.

The key digital communications in any-sized congregation should be the website and email. They are accessible to all who are online even if they never use social media.

By far, the main source of social traffic to UMC.org is through Facebook. Congregations that can only focus on one social network should start there. The second network you choose likely will depend on your target audience, the type of material you want to share and the knowledge and comfort level of the person who will manage the account.

It may be possible to increase the number of social networks used by sharing duties and starting a social media team, but you will need to make sure that all communication is coordinated and consistent.

Designate one person on staff or in the congregation to stay up to date on the latest best practices in social media and share that information with everyone who is involved in this effort. The leader of your social media team should be someone who can devote at least 10 hours a week to the efforts.

Larger congregations should consider having a staff person focused part time on social media and keeping on the cutting edge of digital communications. This should be included in the job description so the person would be expected to devote significant time to this critical communication form.

Many congregations may question whether they can afford to have a person devote significant time to social media. However, research shows that online communication will not only enhance participation in congregational activities, but it will also enhance the impact of fundraising efforts, including stewardship campaigns. The social media manager needs to learn the best methods for online fundraising in addition to having the time to make posts.

The largest congregations should consider hiring a full-time new-media manager to maintain their social media and blog presence. This would include regular engagement with the congregation and community online and creating graphics to use on the various networks.

No matter your congregation's size, if you find yourself overwhelmed, it is best to cut back on the number of social media networks you manage and focus your efforts effectively.

Is your church spending too much time on social media? Learn how to engage online without overcommitting: TWEET THIS

How much time should be spent on the various outlets? Do only what you can do well. Don't feel that you must do it all.

Website and email (five to 40 hours weekly): Since this is the foundation, remember to spend at least five hours here each week. Large churches could even make this a full-time position.

Facebook (four hours): Post and schedule status updates for the church four to six times a week. Include time to respond to comments and track the "Insights" data. You may need to add another hour if promoting an event on Facebook.

YouTube (one hour): Upload video, create playlists and subscribe to other feeds. Use this time also to see how other churches and nonprofits use YouTube. See how to get started on YouTube.

Instagram (three hours): Post one or two images or videos daily. Also take time to like other peoples' posted content. View more tips about Instagram.

Design graphic visual content (three hours): No matter what networks you use, your efforts will be enhanced by taking the time to build branded images, infographics, videos, presentations and banner images. Get more bang with graphic design.

Research (two hours): Stay current on the latest in nonprofit and church technology. Subscribe to the MyCom e-newsletter. To subscribe, visit UMCom.org.

Using additional social networks will require additional resources. Make sure you decide wisely how to spend your time. Learn about the various uses of social networking before making the leap.

-- Andrew J. Schleicher is a project coordinator with United Methodist Communications.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How much time should be spent on social media? | ResourceUMC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The amount of time that any congregation spends using social media to promote its ministries will depend much on the size of the congregation and staff. Small- and average-sized congregations may find it necessary to limit themselves to only one or two social networks.

# data[].attributes.body
The informations tells me it was published September 11, 2019. It relates to my topic by telling me that an average person should spend 30 minutes on social media a day. Kevin Wells published this article. This is against my claim because I believe people should have 1-2 hours on social media. The purpose of this article is to tell the reader that people shouldn't spend more than 30 minutes a day online alone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook have become ubiquitous in student life in 2019. As a result, eliminating social media use altogether is nearly impossible, especially considering the medium's impact on our social and professional lives. On the other hand, overuse of social media can lead to addiction and depression. So how much social media is a healthy amount?

Experts have recommended 30 minutes or less per day as the maximum time you should spend on social media. According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, limiting use to 30 minutes a day can lead to better health outcomes.

In addition to monitoring the total time you spend on social media each day, you should also evaluate why you're spending time on social media. Many use social media to communicate with friends and family and to read news articles. In moderation, these are healthy activities. If you are using social media to communicate non-productively, watch videos solely for entertainment as opposed to education and obsess over and compare your social life to that of your peers, this can be unhealthy.

Remember that many people post a filtered version of themselves on public platforms, so don't necessarily assume their life is better or fuller than yours based on their social media posts.

According to a "Science in The News" blog post by Trevor Haynes, social media platforms "leverage the same neural circuitry used by slot machines and cocaine to keep users using their products as much as possible."

Knowing why social media is addictive can help students avoid falling into the trap of overuse. Using social media 30 minutes or less a day is an excellent guideline, but how much is healthy for you depends on your personal circumstance. If you are currently spending three hours a day on social media, a practical strategy would be to reduce your time spent on social media by 30 minutes per week to gradually reach a more healthy amount. Similar to many other addictive behaviors, the key to avoiding an unhealthy amount of social media is to ensure you remain the master of the medium, not the other way around.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How much social media is a healthy amount?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook have become ubiquitous in student life in 2019. As a result, eliminating social media use altogether is nearly impossible, especially considering the medium's impact on our social and professional lives. On the other hand, overuse of social media can lead to addiction and depression.