American millennials and Gen Z – the generation reaching adulthood in the second decade of the 21st century – may have a reputation for being the most tech-savvy and tech-addicted age group, but it is the nation’s elderly who actually spend the most time looking at their screens.

People in the United States aged 65 or more spend one-third more each day on screen-time than Americans aged 18 to 34, the English weekly magazine, The Economist reports – citing data from market research firm Nielsen.

The data shows that the elderly spend nearly 10 hours every day looking at their televisions, computers or smartphones, while younger Americans spend about seven hours doing so.

According to The Economist, television is responsible for the difference.

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Nielsen’s data shows that while the elderly spend an average of seven-and-a-half hours with the television switched on, younger generations have less interest in looking at television; they spend about four hours less in front of television screens.

It is worth noting that this includes having the television on in the background while engaging in other activities, and that the elderly have more time on their hands – 75 per cent of them in Nielsen's data are retired.

While younger generations spend more time on their smartphones than seniors – three-and-a-half hours compared with two hours – it doesn't make up for the gap in television use. Both age groups have seen an increase in the use of mobile devices over the past four years.

Regardless of age, there is always the risk of technology addiction.

In fact, the addiction criteria usually used for drugs and alcohol is now being used for technology, psychologist Leora Trub, lead professor at Pace University’s Digital Media and Psychology Lab in the US, told Business Insider.

She likens a technology addiction, specifically, to food addiction. “[Technology is] out there for everyone, everyone needs to use it to some extent for their daily lives. It's an alluring and compelling thing,” she said.

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However, when used in moderation and with self-control, watching television is not a bad thing as it can offer both distraction and entertainment as a coping mechanism for burnout or stress, Trub said.

“Everyone should get to have their own vices and TV is a fine one.”

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