Can You Guess Our Screen Time? A Priest, Pensioner, Tech CEO, and Teenager Reveal All

In today’s digital age, screen time affects everyone—whether you’re managing a company, leading a community, staying in touch with family, or navigating school life. To understand how much time people really spend staring at devices, we spoke to four individuals from different walks of life: a priest, a pensioner, a tech CEO, and a teenager. Their answers highlight just how varied—and sometimes surprising—screen habits can be.

The Teenager: Always Connected

Fifteen-year-old Mia admits her daily screen time is significant. Between online lessons, homework, social media, and streaming videos, she estimates she spends around 7–9 hours per day on screens.

“I know it’s a lot, but schoolwork counts too, right?” she says. “Half my friends are online anyway, so it’s hard not to be on my phone.”

Experts note that for teenagers, screens are not just for entertainment—they’re also essential for learning and social interaction. While high screen time can raise concerns about sleep and mental health, interactive use, like messaging or schoolwork, is less harmful than passive scrolling or binge-watching.

The Tech CEO: Always “On”

Julian, a 42-year-old tech CEO, admits his screen time is around 12 hours a day. Emails, video calls, data analysis, and constant monitoring of business operations make screens an unavoidable part of his workday.

“It’s exhausting sometimes,” Julian says, “but it’s also the nature of the job. Even downtime often involves catching up on industry news or checking reports.”

Work-driven screen time can increase stress, disrupt sleep, and reduce face-to-face social interaction, experts warn. Strategies like scheduled offline periods, “do not disturb” modes, and prioritizing in-person meetings when possible can help maintain balance.

The Priest: Balancing Tradition and Technology

Father Michael, a priest in his 50s, spends 3–4 hours daily on screens. He uses technology for administrative tasks, preparing sermons, and connecting with his community online.

“I also watch livestreams of services from other parishes. Technology allows me to reach more people than ever,” he explains.

His example shows that even traditionally low-tech professions rely on screens to communicate and engage. For clergy and community leaders, screens are tools for extending their work and connecting with congregations, especially when physical meetings are limited.

The Pensioner: Staying Social and Informed

Margaret, 72, a retired teacher and grandmother, spends 2–3 hours per day on screens. Her main activities include video calls with family, browsing news websites, and streaming shows.

“It keeps me in touch with my children and grandchildren, and I enjoy learning new things online,” she says.

For older adults, moderate screen use provides cognitive stimulation, social connection, and access to information. Health professionals encourage seniors to explore digital tools while balancing screen time with physical activity and in-person interactions.

Comparing the Four Screen Times

Looking at these four examples:

Teenagers: 7–9 hours (mostly education, social, and entertainment)

Tech CEO: 12 hours (primarily work-related)

Priest: 3–4 hours (administrative and community engagement)

Pensioner: 2–3 hours (social and informational)

The differences highlight how age, occupation, and lifestyle influence screen use. While younger people tend to spend more time online for both work and play, older adults often use screens more purposefully. Adults in high-demand jobs like Julian’s can have screen-intensive routines, even if they try to manage downtime.

Why Screen Time Isn’t Just About Hours

Experts stress that screen time alone doesn’t indicate a problem. Purpose, context, and quality of engagement matter just as much.

Interactive use (messaging, work, learning) tends to be less harmful than passive use (endless scrolling or watching videos)

Breaks and boundaries reduce eye strain, fatigue, and stress

Offline activities like walking, socializing, or hobbies help balance screen exposure

Screen time should be assessed in terms of how it affects wellbeing, not just the clock.

The Role of Digital Habits

These four individuals also illustrate different strategies for managing screen use:

Mia schedules homework breaks to avoid burnout but struggles with social media notifications.

Julian uses app timers and blocks notifications after 9 pm to protect his sleep.

Father Michael deliberately sets aside “offline” hours for reflection and community visits.

Margaret incorporates screen time into a balanced daily routine that includes exercise, reading, and in-person social interactions.

Good habits can make screen time productive and positive rather than stressful or isolating.

Lessons from Four Perspectives

Purpose matters – Screens can support education, work, communication, or recreation, depending on how they are used.

Balance is key – All age groups benefit from alternating online and offline activities.

Awareness helps – Knowing how much time is spent on screens can help identify habits that may affect health or productivity.

Connection is central – Screens allow us to maintain social ties, access knowledge, and participate in the wider world.

Conclusion

From teenagers glued to social media, to CEOs managing global operations, priests using technology for outreach, and pensioners staying socially connected, screen time is a window into modern life. While hours on a device may vary, the key takeaway is that balance and purpose matter most.

Screens are neither inherently bad nor inherently good—they are tools. Understanding how, when, and why we use them can help everyone—from teens to retirees—make the most of our digital lives without compromising mental, physical, or social wellbeing.