screen time

Or screen·time

[skreen tahym]

noun

1. the amount of time devoted to a particular actor, topic, plot line, etc., in a film or TV show.

   The female characters got less screen time than the male characters in all the film festival nominations.

2. Digital Technology.,  the amount of time a person spends watching or interacting with content on the screen of a computer, phone, TV, gaming console, etc..

   What's the maximum amount of screen time recommended for children under two?

Word History and Origins

Origin of screen time¹

First recorded in 1915–20, and in 1990–95 screen time for def. 2

Example Sentences

Psychologists attribute the dazed look to excessive screen time stunting the development of social skills, which was exacerbated by the pandemic lockdowns.

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A 2022 systemic review of 87 studies found increased screen time was modestly associated with higher levels of aggression, inattention, anxiety, depression and behavioral problems.

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It may be the responsibility of tech companies and other stakeholders to regulate smartphone use, but young people must also take ownership of their screen time—so that phones won’t dictate our happiness.

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It encourages kids to replace screen time with real-world activities.

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Looking at her screen time, 12-year-old Ellie said she had been on her phone for four hours and one minute that day.

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