Finnish study finds constant phone checking more draining than long screen time

A new study by Aalto University suggests that repeatedly checking phones in short bursts throughout the day is more mentally taxing than extended screen time, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle.

Researchers tracked nearly 300 adults in Germany over seven months, monitoring their smartphone and computer use alongside self-reported stress levels. The findings challenge the assumption that long screen time is the primary cause of digital fatigue.

“The most drained users were those who kept returning to their phones for brief moments, only to put them away again shortly after,” said doctoral researcher Henrik Lassila. Morning phone use, in particular, correlated strongly with feelings of overload.

The study also revealed a “vicious cycle”: stress from constant device switching—such as flicking between messages and apps—further fuels fragmented usage, worsening mental strain. This behavior was linked to impaired working memory, reduced well-being, and lower happiness.

Contrary to earlier surveys where users claimed they would cut back on social media when overwhelmed, the research found no reduction in usage among highly stressed participants. Their device habits remained consistent throughout the study period.

Professor Janne Lindqvist proposed a simple remedy: “Instead of constant checking, set two fixed times a day to process messages—spending 30 minutes responding all at once. Our data shows this approach significantly reduces strain.”

The study highlights how the way devices are used—not just the duration—shapes mental load, with intermittent attention to phones proving especially disruptive.