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The bathroom has long been a private retreat, but in the age of smartphones, it has become a digital hub. Whether it's scrolling TikTok or squeezing in one last email, people across the UK and US are spending hours each year multitasking from the loo.
QS Supplies surveyed 1,000 respondents to uncover how often people use their phones on the toilet and what they are doing while they are there. The findings reveal surprising patterns in generational habits, digital hygiene, and the blend of work and relaxation in one of the most unexpected rooms in the home.
Key Findings
- Americans spend about 2 full days (49 hours) a year scrolling on the toilet, while Britons spend approximately 1.5 days (36 hours).
- Americans spend more than 4.5 days a year scrolling on Instagram and TikTok while on the toilet.
- Gen Z leads all generations in toilet phone use, spending 54 hours per year scrolling while seated.
- Over 6 in 10 people (61%) admit to staying on the toilet longer just to finish something on their phone.
- 72% of Gen Z say they've extended their toilet time to keep scrolling.
- Only 1 in 4 people clean their phones after using them in the bathroom.
- 1 in 20 people (5%) admit to attending a work call or meeting while on the toilet.
The Toilet: A Digital Time Sink
- Americans spend more time than Brits scrolling while on the toilet — 49 hours compared to 36 hours per year.
- Bathroom phone use is highest among Gen Z (92%) and millennials (92%), followed by Gen X (78%) and baby boomers (67%).
- iPhone users are more likely than Android users to use their phones in the bathroom (88% vs. 82%, respectively).
- 13% of iPhone users say they feel productive while using their phone in the bathroom, compared to 12% of Android users.
- Americans spend around 4.5 days a year scrolling on Instagram and TikTok while on the toilet. (That's based on 18 minutes a day — 9 minutes per session, twice a day.)
Annual Bathroom Phone Use by Generation
- Gen Z: 9 minutes per session → 54 hours per year
- Millennials: 7 minutes per session → 43 hours per year
- Gen X: 6 minutes per session → 36 hours per year
- Baby boomers: 5 minutes per session → 30 hours per year
Top 3 Most Popular Toilet Scrolling Apps by Generation
Baby boomers:
- Facebook (31%)
- Email (30%)
- YouTube (20%)
Gen X:
- Facebook (34%)
- Email (31%)
- Instagram (24%)
Millennials:
- Instagram (42%)
- YouTube (34%)
- Facebook (34%)
Gen Z:
- Instagram (51%)
- TikTok (45%)
- Reddit (35%)
Average Time Spent on Popular Apps While Using the Toilet
- Dating apps: 13 minutes
- Podcasts: 10 minutes
- Instagram: 9 minutes
- Facebook: 9 minutes
- YouTube: 9 minutes
- WhatsApp: 9 minutes
- TikTok: 9 minutes
- X: 9 minutes
- Reddit: 8 minutes
- Slack or Teams: 8 minutes
- Email: 7 minutes
Work-Related Bathroom Interactions
- Sent or replied to work emails: 18%
- Replied to a Slack or Teams message: 12%
- Reviewed a document or presentation: 11%
- Attended a work call or meeting: 5%
- Scheduled a work-related event: 5%
Consequences of Bathroom Phone Use
- Lost track of time: 39%
- Experienced numb legs: 28%
- Called out by someone: 13%
- Late to something: 12%
- Dropped phone in the toilet: 10%
- Health-related issues (e.g., haemorrhoids): 3%
- Missed a work meeting: 2%
The Loo as a Personal Escape
- 61% of people have stayed on the toilet longer just to finish something on their phone.
- 72% of Gen Z say they've stayed longer in the bathroom to finish something on their phone, compared to 68% of millennials, 55% of Gen X, and just 38% of baby boomers.
- Roughly 12% of Americans report feeling anxious when they forget their phone on a bathroom trip, compared to just 7% of Brits.
- Only 1 in 4 people clean their phones after using them in the bathroom.
- More than 3 in 4 baby boomers (76%) don't clean their phones after using them in the bathroom — the highest rate of any generation. In comparison, 67% of Gen X, 66% of millennials, and 66% of Gen Z skip the post-toilet wipe-down.
- Over half of Gen Z (51%) say they use the bathroom just to take a break from others, even when they don't need to go. This trend is less common among millennials (44%) and Gen X (36%), and least common among baby boomers (14%).
Methodology
We surveyed 500 Americans and 500 Britons to explore bathroom doomscrolling. Among Americans, the average age was 41; 50% were male, and 50% were women. Generationally, 9% were baby boomers, 31% were Gen X, 44% were millennials, and 17% were Gen Z. Among Britons, the average age was 44; 49% were male, and 50% were women, and 1% were non-binary. Generationally, 11% were baby boomers, 38% were Gen X, 38% were millennials, and 14% were Gen Z. Due to rounding, percentages may not total 100 exactly.
About QS Supplies
QS Supplies specialises in providing top-of-the-line bathroom products to customers across the UK. Our comprehensive selection includes everything from shower doors and electric showers to complete shower sets, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your bathroom renovation.
Fair Use Statement
This article's content may be shared for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credit. Please include a link back to QS Supplies if you use or reference the material.
