Survey reveals a stark picture of Finns’ family relationships and smartphone use – under-45s stand out

Forty per cent of respondents to the Digital Life survey agreed with the statement, “My quality of life would be better if I used my smartphone less.” Around one in four respondents also reported experiencing difficulties concentrating due to smartphone use.

“People under 45 in particular feel that smartphones have a negative impact on their family relationships, ability to concentrate and quality of life. People in these age groups also spend a great deal of time using their smartphones for various purposes, such as browsing social media, taking care of everyday tasks and keeping in touch with others. At the same time, they are highly aware of the effects smartphones can have and consciously want to spend time without them,” says Vilhelmiina Wahlbeck, Senior Vice President of Communications, Sustainability and Brand Development at DNA.

“This is something that is probably very familiar to all of us. When our phones demand our attention, it becomes harder to focus on conversations and spending time together,” Wahlbeck continues.

Phone on silent for at least part of the day

Around one in three respondents have limited the amount of time they spend on their smartphones. Limiting the use of smart devices is particularly common among families with children and people aged 15–34. The most popular way to reduce smartphone use is to add other activities to everyday life. Other popular methods include limiting phone use before bedtime and turning off notifications.

According to the survey, another popular way to reduce time spent on the phone is to put it on silent. Among respondents who have limited the amount of time they spend on their phones, 36% say they always keep their phone on silent, while 32% keep it on silent for at least part of the day.

“We have probably all experienced how the ping of a phone or a notification appearing on the screen immediately catches our attention. Once you respond to it, you can easily find that you have spent far longer on your phone than you intended. Simply turning off notifications or putting your phone on silent can make a big difference. Personally, I have found that leaving my phone in another room in the evenings is an excellent way to avoid constantly scrolling through it,” Wahlbeck says.

The Disconnect Day (Älyvapaapäivä) will be celebrated for the fifth time on Sunday, 1 November 2026. The theme day encourages people to put their smart devices aside and spend time with loved ones and doing things that are meaningful to them. The aim is to encourage people to reflect on their relationship with smart devices and the amount of time they spend using them.

The aim of DNA’s Digital Life survey is to increase understanding of Finns’ digital lives. The survey has been conducted annually since 2013, and its target group consists of all Finns aged 15 and over. This year’s survey was conducted through Norstat’s online panel between 20 and 27 April, with just over 1,000 Finns participating.

Further information for the media:

Vilhelmiina Wahlbeck, Senior Vice President, Communications, Sustainability and Brand Development, DNA, tel. +358 44 040 1671, vilhelmiina.wahlbeck@dna.fi
 DNA Communications, tel. +358 44 044 8000, viestinta@dna.fi