(BPT) – Technology is integral to Americans’ daily lives — at work, home, school and everywhere in between. They can’t live without it and may not even realize how much time is spent on their phones, laptops and tablets. Deloitte’s Center for Technology, Media & Telecommunications surveyed U.S. consumers and found that the average American spends eight hours a day online — half of waking hours. That equates to almost 3,000 hours a year. While all that time online can deliver positive experiences, 44% of those surveyed admit they struggle to limit their screen time to a level they are comfortable with, up from 38% year-over-year.

As technology continues to become even more woven into daily lives, families across the country are attempting to navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, which offers both opportunity and risk. Deloitte found that while 78% of those surveyed believe that technology has positively impacted their lives, they are more worried than ever about their online security and privacy.

The Importance of Consumer Trust

June is National Internet Safety Month, an ideal opportunity to reflect on how technology is used, ways to protect individuals and families online, and the importance of trust in the digital world. With the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and proliferation of new apps and social media platforms, people appear not only determined to seek balance in their digital lives, but to find trust, transparency, and accountability from technology providers. As a result, internet safety is important all year long.

Because people today spend so much time online, respondents indicate having concerns about unauthorized access to their personal information. Deloitte found that consumers are most concerned about being tracked, privacy of their personal information, and security. In fact, 48% of respondents in the Deloitte survey reported experiencing at least one type of security breach in the previous year (up 14 percentage points from the prior year). Parents and teens are especially worried about digital tracking, being exposed to harmful content online, and limiting screen time.

For technology providers, addressing these privacy and security concerns directly could help build trust. Consumers who trust providers to protect their data spent 50% more on devices in the past year, according to Deloitte’s survey, highlighting the mutual benefits of investing in strategies to mitigate consumer risk.

3 Ways to Help Secure Your Time Online

As users look to implement additional safeguards to increase their privacy and security online, here are three ways to help safely manage time spent online:

• Balance screen time: Enable parental controls to limit screen time for your children and set a timer to keep your own screen time in check. Consider putting devices away when spending time with family or friends to further limit screen time.
• Enable added security controls: Use more than just a password to protect your accounts. Many apps offer built-in multi-factor authentication tools, like sending a unique code by text or email to confirm it’s really you. For extra safety, turn off Bluetooth and location tracking when not needed.
• Educate family members: Talk to your children and family members about privacy risks and how to identify scams, phishing, deep fakes, and other potential threats to interact online safely and securely.

While National Internet Safety Month is celebrated in June, it’s important to consider online safety all year long. Staying informed on ways to protect your privacy and how to set healthy boundaries with technology use can help you and your loved ones safely enjoy the benefits of technological innovation.

For more Deloitte insights on how consumers navigate and engage with the digital world, read the full report “Earning trust as gen AI takes hold: 2024 Connected Consumer Survey.”