In a survey conducted by Secure Data Recovery, it was found that 69% of Americans feel that technology exposes them to more negativity and 41% feel that it is more harmful than helpful for human connection. The survey also revealed that New Jersey residents are the ninth most likely to take breaks from technology in 2024, with many feeling addicted to social media, online shopping, streaming videos, and reading news online.
The average time spent per day with digital media has increased from 409 minutes in 2019 to 485 minutes in 2021. In 2023, the average time spent per day with digital media in the United States was 503 minutes. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting isolation have contributed to the increased consumption of digital media.
It is estimated that over 33 million Americans were addicted to social media in 2019, but this number is likely to have increased due to the pandemic. New Jersey residents are concerned about technology addiction and want to cut back on reading online news. It is important to support their efforts to have a more balanced life without technology dominating their day-to-day activities.