Statec looked into who uses smartphones the most, what for and from what age in a survey on information and communication technologies in 2021.

One to three hours

Nearly half (49%) of respondents surveyed spend between one and three hours on their smartphone. Screen time is between three and five hours for 21% and more than five hours for 10%.

Looking at 16-24 year olds, a third spend more than five hours a day on their smartphone. Another 36% use it between three and five hours a day and 28% use it between one and three hours. Only 2% use it for less than an hour.

Usage decreases with age and between 25 and 54 years old, 54% of users are on their smartphone between one and three hours a day, around 22% spend three to five hours and 8% spend more than five hours. Among 65-74 year olds, 57% use their smartphone for less than an hour a day.

First smartphone after turning 12

Half of those under 25 received their first smartphone after the age of 12. 38.6% received it between the ages of 10 and 12, 7.6% between 8 and 9 and 3.8% between 6 and 8.

70%

70% of 65-74 year olds use their smartphone for instant messaging applications (Whatsapp, Viber, Snapchat). 38% go on other social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). 31% listen to music and 27% use sharing sites (Youtube, Tik Tok).

Meanwhile 90% of 16-24 year olds use their smartphone to listen to music, 89% use it to access instant messaging applications, 85% use it for other social networks and 84% use it for sharing sites.

87%

Nearly 90% of respondents stated they do not keep their mobile phone for more than five years. 43% even change it within three years. This rate rises to 55% for young people, while it is 22% for 65-74 year olds.

90%

The majority of residents (90%) use their smartphone to connect to the internet. While 62% use their laptop, 41% their desktop computer, 45% their tablet and 38% other devices, such as a television or a gaming console.

Generally speaking, access to the internet via a desktop computer or tablet increases with age, while access via a smartphone and other devices decreases.  97% of 16-24 year olds browse more often on their smartphone and 63% on their laptop. Smartphone use drops to 73% for 65-74 year olds.

92%

Getting a brand new smartphone seems appears to be the overwhelming trend with 92% of those having one have bought it new.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.