A recent survey conducted by the educational platform GeekBrains in collaboration with VK reveals how Russians view constant monitoring on social networks. The findings were summarized for socialbites.ca, offering a clear snapshot of attitudes toward digital life.
The study shows that more than half of respondents consider technology’s impact on daily life to be largely positive, despite frequent exposure to online surveillance and push notifications.
When it comes to productive use of screen time, about one third (38%) of Russians say they spend most of their time productively, while roughly a third (33%) report that their time is occasionally productive. Close to half (46%) believe digital devices help cultivate good habits, and 28% feel confident that they can develop them with digital tools.
Among the beneficial habits associated with gadgets, applications, and websites, 39% of Russians credit improved logic and memory, 38% say their horizons have widened, and 23% note enhanced learning. Additional areas of perceived benefit include tracking physical activity (28%), monitoring health metrics (18%), engaging in training (17%), and managing diet (13%).
On the flip side, the negative effects cited include concerns about gambling (29%) and the constant monitoring of social networks (24%). A fifth of respondents are uneasy about regularly checking notifications (20%) and scrolling through the news feed (18%). Thirteen percent point to a growing addiction to video content, and 9% worry about online shopping compulsions.
Regarding daily screen exposure, 57% of Russians report spending up to four hours a day in front of screens, while 20% fall into the five-to-six-hour range. About 16% try to limit their usage to one workday’s worth of time (seven to ten hours), and 7% admit to ten hours or more daily on digital devices.
When asked about reducing screen time, 37% express a desire to cut back on phone and monitor use, whereas 12% aim to decrease it by more than half. These sentiments reflect a growing interest in balancing digital life with other activities.
As a broader takeaway, the survey points to a gap in IT field awareness among a large portion of the population. A substantial share of respondents indicated limited familiarity with information technology, underscoring the ongoing need for accessible tech education and literacy initiatives.