Even those taking the occasional conscious break said they still spend too much “dead time” online.
Keystone
Only 31% of people in Switzerland manage to take a conscious break from media consumption at least once a day. One in four Swiss never actively disconnects at all, according a representative survey published on Monday.
This applies to people in all linguistic areas of the country, revealed the surveyExternal link by comparis.ch. Those who do take occasional breaks said they still spent too much “dead time” consuming all kinds of online media.
It’s not only younger people who treat their smartphone as a constant companion: 36% of those who never take an active break from media consumption are over 56, according to comparis.ch. This is the same proportion as for those users aged 18 to 35.
“The smartphone has replaced the television and the radio, which means that people have constant access to all kinds of media at their fingertips,” said Jean-Claude Frick, digital expert at comparis.ch.
Messages from friends and colleagues on social media increase the pressure to constantly check our phone, he said.
Push notifications – “the junk emails of the smartphone generation” – are another reason for people’s inability to reduce their consumption, Frick said. He recommends turning them off as a “first step to a breaking the smartphone addiction”.
The survey questioned 1,049 people about their media consumption in all areas of Switzerland.
More
More
Does age determine media habits in Switzerland?
This content was published on
Discussions about media in Switzerland often conjure notions of a generational divide, but how we consume may transcend questions of age.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Swiss National Bank publishes new banknote designs
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is working on a new series of banknotes on the theme of “Switzerland and its altitudes”. Twelve designs for the new series have been submitted and the public's opinion is now being sought.
US envoy meets Sudan army chief in Switzerland to discuss peace proposal
This content was published on
Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and US envoy for Africa Massad Boulos met in Switzerland to discuss a US peace plan aimed at ending the civil war in Sudan.
This content was published on
Late Shift [Heldin], a film by about overworked nurses, is Switzerland's candidate for the Best International Feature Film award at the Oscars next year.
US tariffs: most Swiss rule out making future concessions, survey reveals
This content was published on
According to a survey published on Wednesday, most Swiss residents are against offering concessions to the US in the current tariff dispute.
Switzerland, EU and over 20 nations call for urgent action to stop famine in Gaza
This content was published on
Switzerland, the European Union and 23 other countries have sharply criticised the "unfolding famine" situation in Gaza and called for urgent action.
Swiss citizens will also participate in flotilla against Gaza blockade
This content was published on
Swiss citizens are also taking part in the worldwide flotilla that intends to break the sea blockade in Gaza. The Waves of Freedom Association (WOFA) plans to leave with five boats loaded with baby milk powder and water filters.
Switzerland commemorates Italian partisans who died escaping fascists
This content was published on
Italian partisans tried to flee to Switzerland in October 1944. However, two died and a third was injured in a hail of bullets between their fascist pursuers and Swiss border guards in Ticino. They are now commemorated by so-called stumble stones.
Switzerland follows the EU with new sanctions against Russian oil
This content was published on
Switzerland is stepping up its sanctions against Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine. The measures are aimed at Russia's oil windfall. The European Union (EU) approved the same package of sanctions, the 18th since the start of the war, in mid-July.
Swiss government makes a case for e-ID ahead of referendum
This content was published on
The electronic-ID is secure and easy to use and its use is voluntary and free of charge: these are the arguments the government made in its campaign for a 'Yes' vote on the e-ID Act slated for September 28.
Switzerland trials muzzles and electric harps against Asian hornets
This content was published on
Scientists have fitted several beehives in Cornol in canton Jura with electric harps and muzzles to electrocute and stop Asian hornets.
The legal difficulties of online expression in Switzerland
This content was published on
Drawing the line between freedom of expression and discrimination is a nuanced minefield in the age of social media, as a case in Switzerland shows.
This content was published on
They are strong, they are dominant, they have money – and they are located outside the Swiss sphere of influence: the internet giants or “tech intermediaries”. They are social media platforms, especially Facebook and Google, that no longer merely serve as a means of keeping in touch with family and friends. In Switzerland, the generation…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.