UAE Surpasses Global Rankings for Tech Dependency and Daily Screen Use
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the most tech-dependent country worldwide, with residents spending nearly eight hours daily on digital devices. Universal internet access and heavy adoption of platforms highlight the nation’s deeply connected lifestyle. According to the findings, people in the UAE dedicate an average of 7 hours and 59 minutes each day to screens, with almost three hours focused on social media. TikTok dominates platform use, drawing more than 94,300 users per 100,000 residents and surpassing Instagram in popularity.
Globally, the shift is evident. Screen time has increased by 42% since 2020, while face-to-face interactions have fallen by one-third. A spokesperson explained that unlike television, which once had natural boundaries, social media platforms offer endless feeds. As a result, engagement is higher and disconnecting becomes increasingly difficult.
Global Rankings and Comparisons
On the Tech Dependency Index, Brazil secured second place. Residents there spend the world’s longest average time on screens at 9 hours and 9 minutes daily. Saudi Arabia followed in third with just over 7 hours per day. Turkey and Singapore ranked close behind, reporting 7 hours 13 minutes and 6 hours 33 minutes respectively. Other countries in the top 10 include Portugal, the United States, Australia, Norway, and Sweden. In these nations, social media and streaming platforms continue to dominate leisure and communication habits.
The Wider Digital Impact
These results highlight the growing influence of technology on everyday life. Digital platforms now shape work, social interaction, and entertainment across much of the globe. For the UAE, the findings emphasize how universal access and strong adoption of emerging platforms place the nation at the front of the global digital transformation. While the world continues adjusting to this reality, the challenge of balancing online engagement with offline connections grows more pressing.
