PLEASANTON, Calif.—Americans spend nearly one-half of their waking hours (42 percent) looking at a screen, according to a recent survey. The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of CooperVision, asked 2,000 people about their screen-time habits, whether it’s using a mobile phone, laptop, TV or tablet. Assuming the average American gets eight hours of sleep each night, that means they spend six hours and 43 minutes a day looking at a screen, according to the survey’s findings. And screen time is growing, as 79 percent of survey respondents acknowledged that their screen time has increased in the past five years, with 41 percent saying it has increased “a lot.”

The study also found that nearly half of Americans (49 percent) feel society has become more digital and screen-oriented in the past five years. It’s no surprise that our screen time has increased as a result, especially considering that 74 percent of employed Americans use a computer at their job.

Another contributing factor to the uptick in screen time is that a third of Americans (33 percent) also believe there is now a greater need to check social media than five years ago. “We live in a digitally-connected world and these survey results show how digital devices have completely transformed our lives, no matter our age,” CooperVision’s Dr. Michele Andrews said in the announcement. Andrews is CooperVision’s senior director, professional and academic affairs.

She added, “Digital eye fatigue is faced by millions of Americans every day because of this non-stop screen time. It’s why CooperVision researchers invented Biofinity Energys contact lenses, the first contact lens on the market with technology specifically designed to address some symptoms of digital eye fatigue, including eye tiredness and dryness.”

According to the survey, three out of four Americans agree that they feel they spend too much time looking at a screen, with 53 percent admitting to taking a break from their computer by scrolling through their phone, and one in four (27 percent) saying they frequently “dual screen” by scrolling through their phone while watching TV.

The top 10 most-looked at screens, according to the survey are: TV at 91 percent, Smartphone at 74 percent, laptop at 73 percent, DVD/Blu ray player at 64 percent, desktop computer at 56 percent, iPad/tablet at 46 percent, video game console at 42 percent, iPhone at 31 percent, Kindle/e-reader at 27 percent and MP3 player at 26 percent.

Among the findings of the survey:

• Seven in 10 Americans say they check their phone immediately upon waking up in the morning.

• Age plays a substantial role in the amount of time people spend on digital devices, with millennials being more screen-oriented than other generations.

• Those in the 18 to 35 age range are nearly twice as likely to say they check their phone first thing in the morning when compared to those aged 55 and older (92 percent and 51 percent, respectively).

• More than half of millennials (58 percent) feel anxious and irritated if they can’t check their phone, compared with 21 percent of those 55 and older.