People spend over a third of phone use on unintentional scroll
News Desk
03 June 2026, 13:27
June 3 (TechWorld) - People spend more than a third of their smartphone use without a clear purpose, according to a report highlighting concerns over habitual and “autopilot” phone behaviour.
Surveys commissioned by Virgin Media O2 found UK adults spend an average of four hours per day on their phones, with 36% of that time reportedly unintentional. The findings are based on three surveys conducted between 2024 and 2026 involving around 6,000 people aged 16 and over.
Intentional vs unintentional use
The report, Age of Autopilot, found most smartphone use was intentional, including messaging, navigation and checking information. However, respondents also reported substantial time spent mindlessly scrolling through apps.
It suggested that those reporting higher levels of unintentional use were more likely to say they felt worse afterwards or encountered harmful or unpleasant content.
Experts question self-reported data
Dr Eleanor Drage of the University of Cambridge said the issue is not solely about user behaviour.
“This isn’t just a question of people making unwise choices,” she said. “We are undermined by the immersive nature of the technology.”
Prof Pete Etchells of Bath Spa University said people are generally poor at estimating their screen time, and self-reported data may not accurately reflect actual usage patterns.
He added that screen time does not automatically indicate harm, but should be understood in terms of whether it leads to unwanted or risky behaviour.
Managing phone use
Netta Weinstein of University of Reading said passive scrolling can provide relaxation, humour or social connection, but users should consider whether it leaves them feeling restored.
The report also noted that while many users are aware of screen-time management tools, they often struggle to use them consistently.
Rafe Clayton of the University of Leeds suggested limiting non-essential notifications and spending as much time as possible away from digital devices as ways to reduce habitual scrolling.
Researchers said smartphone design, including default notification settings, can influence user behaviour.
The study is part of the Age of Autopilot research series and contributes to a five-year programme at Cambridge’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, funded by Virgin Media O2.
