The hours people spend online or in front of screens are no longer something we simply count, but something we live. On average, individuals now spend almost seven hours a day online, and five times more time on social media than in real-life social interactions.
Over a lifetime, this translates into five years and four months spent inside feeds, notifications and endless scrolling. According to an analysis by Bank of America, that amount of time would be enough for 32 trips to the Moon and back.
On an annual basis, the total time spent on social media worldwide could theoretically be used to build 131,000 Great Pyramids of Giza, while the average adult in the United States is expected to spend 44 years of their life in front of screens.
Growing risks to physical, mental and social health
The Bank of America report “Tech Care of Yourself – Future Wellness Primer” highlights the dual nature of technology. On one hand, it acts as a major accelerator of progress and productivity. On the other, its widespread use is increasingly associated with risks to physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
Loneliness, anxiety, obesity, myopia and depression are among the growing burdens linked to excessive technology use. Together they represent an estimated economic impact of $7 trillion annually, roughly 6% of global GDP.
Technology’s reach is now nearly universal. The report notes that 66% of people worldwide already use artificial intelligence regularly, while nearly 1.8 billion individuals have experimented with AI tools.
At the same time, new digital realities are emerging. Deepfakes increased 500-fold between 2018 and 2024, while AI-powered applications are rapidly becoming integrated into everyday life.
The measurable impact on the body
The physical effects of extended screen use are measurable. When the head tilts forward at an angle of 60 degrees, the strain on the neck increases sixfold. This is equivalent to carrying the weight of an eight-year-old child for nearly 50 hours per week.
Prolonged screen exposure also reduces blinking frequency significantly. Eye blinks can drop to just five per minute, about three times less than normal, increasing the risk of eye strain and vision problems.
A sedentary lifestyle further increases the risk of obesity, whose economic impact could exceed the current GDP of Japan by 2035, according to projections cited in the report.
Cognitive overload and declining attention
Psychologically, the constant flow of information creates an environment of continuous overstimulation. Notifications, emails and news alerts fragment attention and contribute to mental fatigue.
Research cited in the report suggests it can take up to 23 minutes to fully regain concentration after an interruption. Meanwhile, the attention span of Generation Z is estimated to be shorter than that of a goldfish.
In the United States, 44% of teenagers report feeling anxious when they do not have access to their mobile phone.
Loneliness and social disconnection
The social dimension is equally significant. According to the report, loneliness is now as widespread as obesity and diabetes, while social disconnection can have health effects comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day.
The percentage of US adults who report having no close friends has quadrupled since 1990, with Generation Z recording the highest levels of loneliness.
At the same time, artificial intelligence “companion” applications have expanded rapidly. Their number has increased sevenfold within three years, while in 2025 the most common uses of generative AI are related to therapy and companionship.
The rise of the global wellness economy
In response to these trends, the concept of wellness is gaining increasing importance. The report defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to overall health.
It encompasses eight interconnected dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, professional, financial and environmental wellbeing.
The global wellness economy is already one of the largest sectors worldwide. It is currently valued at $7 trillion and is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2029, surpassing industries such as information technology and pharmaceuticals.
The sector includes areas such as personal care and beauty, healthy nutrition, physical activity, wellness tourism and mental health services.
Digital detox and new wellness technologies
Bank of America identifies three main growth areas within the wellness economy: activities that strengthen social connection, technological wellness solutions, and individual lifestyle choices related to nutrition, exercise and self-care.
Within this context, the concept of “digital detox” has gained prominence. It refers to the conscious reduction of technology use in order to relieve the pressure of constant connectivity.
Technology itself is also becoming a tool for managing wellbeing. Wearable devices, AI applications and digital platforms can monitor health indicators such as heart rate, sleep patterns and physical activity, offering personalised guidance for managing health.
According to the report, 31% of users rely on generative AI for wellness advice, while 24% use it for mental health support.
Technology filling gaps in healthcare
The growth of these digital solutions is also linked to gaps in healthcare systems. Globally, there are 92% fewer mental health professionals than medical doctors, leaving many patients without adequate care.
Digital services such as virtual therapy and digital therapeutic applications are helping to expand access to support while reducing barriers related to cost and distance.
At the same time, the role of health data is expanding. Over a lifetime, each person is expected to generate an amount of health data equivalent to 300 million books, creating new possibilities for prevention, diagnosis and monitoring.
The broader technological ecosystem also includes humanoid robots, which may be used in fields such as education, customer service and care services, including companionship.
Estimates suggest that up to three billion units could be deployed worldwide by 2060, primarily in service industries and households.
Overall, the report illustrates how rapidly technology is becoming embedded in daily life while simultaneously reinforcing the importance of wellness as a framework for managing the consequences of this digital transformation.