A recent survey by QS Supplies reveals the average American scrolls their phone on the toilet for 49 hours annually - that's just over two full days each year.
Gen Z leads the pack at 54 hours, with 66% scrolling social media, 40% streaming videos, 37% responding to messages, and even 2% taking video calls from the bathroom.
Over 60% admitted they hang out longer on the throne just to finish a task and 42% say it's a deliberate escape from people.
But here's the kicker: only 25% ever wipe their phones down afterward, setting the stage for a hygiene hazard.
Doctors are sounding the alarm - not just about germ risks, but also physical health.
Phones harbor more bacteria than toilet seats—sometimes over 20× more and prolonged sitting (“toilet scrolling”) increases hemorrhoid risk and disrupts healthy bathroom habits, according to multiple gastroenterologists.
Preventive tips from experts:
Limit your bathroom phone time to under 10–15 minutes
Treat the phone like your hands - wipe it daily with a disinfectant or alcohol-based solution.
Bottom line: Your phone isn’t just a screen - it can be a hand-held petri dish. Next time you’re tempted to scroll in the stall, pause and ask yourself: is it worth the germs and potential health risk? Maybe let bathroom time be just … bathroom time.
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