Silver screen: How smartphones are taking over the lives of Singapore’s seniors

SINGAPORE - It has happened several times over the past year. Hilda, 32, has found her 77-year-old father nodding off at the dining table, his smartphone propped upright, the same short video looping endlessly in front of him.

The clips, usually Facebook Reels or TikTok videos narrated by an artificial voice, range from slapstick gags to condensed movie plots.

When he wakes, he instinctively swipes the tabletop, as if the screen were still there.

“He spends most of his free time at home, glued to his phone,” says Hilda, a marketing professional who declined to give her full name.

Her father retired more than a decade ago. With his wife and adult children working full time, he is often alone during the day.

At family meals and gatherings, Hilda has noticed him drifting away mid-conversation, reaching for his phone and scrolling in silence.

“He doesn’t really participate in family conversations any more,” she says.

Hilda’s experience is increasingly common among many families in Singapore.

Across online forums and in private conversations, adult children are voicing concern about elderly parents who spend hours scrolling short-form videos, disengaging from family life and, in some cases, showing signs of compulsive screen use.

While smartphone addiction is often associated with young people who grew up online, a similar pattern is emerging at the other end of the age spectrum – not a phone-based childhood but a phone-based retirement.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) 2020 Annual Survey on Infocomm Usage found that smartphone use among residents aged 75 and above jumped from 41 per cent to 60 per cent between 2019 and 2020, a surge accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

By 2023, IMDA reported that 89 per cent of seniors owned a smartphone.

For a growing number of Singapore’s seniors, smartphones have shifted from a tool of convenience to a constant companion, raising questions about loneliness, health and how digital habits are reshaping ageing in Singapore.

How we got here

Dr Natalie Pang has been studying internet and device use for nearly two decades, and has seen the conversation around seniors and screens shift in unexpected ways.

An associate professor and head of the Communications and New Media Department at the National University of Singapore, she recalls that as recently as 15 years ago, the focus for seniors was simply on getting them connected.

In 2012, Singtel launched Project Silverline, collecting donated iPhones from consumers and refurbishing them with senior-friendly features such as one-touch emergency contacts and medication reminders. The devices were then distributed through voluntary welfare organisations to seniors who could not afford to buy a phone.

“At that time, helping seniors go digital meant giving them smartphones with mobile plans so they could search for information and access e-government services,” she says.

By the mid-2010s, however, Dr Pang began noticing a change.

When surveying about 60 vulnerable seniors living alone in rental flats, she found that once they crossed the initial barrier of acceptance, smartphone adoption was rapid.

“That in itself is not a bad thing,” she says, noting that smartphones have become an essential gateway to everyday life in Singapore.

Many public services are now designed on a “digital-first” basis, requiring a smartphone to log in securely, receive notifications or complete transactions.

For seniors in Singapore, this means a phone is no longer just a communication device, but also a must-have for managing doctor appointments, paying bills, checking transport information and maintaining a sense of independence.

Yet, the same device that keeps life running smoothly can, over time, begin to dominate it, blurring the line between having a handy helper and unhealthy dependence.

From habit to compulsion

From April 2021 to July 2022, researchers in Singapore surveyed 6,509 participants aged 15 to 65 as part of the Health and Lifestyle Survey, a nationwide study aimed at establishing the prevalence of behavioural and substance addictions among Singapore residents.

The survey found that one in three Singaporeans exhibited problematic smartphone use, which the research linked to poorer mental health, including insomnia, depression and anxiety.

The issue was more pronounced among those aged 15 to 21, with half showing signs of an unhealthy relationship with their phones. It did not find particularly high rates of problematic smartphone use among elderly users.

Still, Ms Shannen Ang, a senior counsellor at SAGE Counselling Centre, which offers free support to seniors and their families, says she has observed more older adults turning to their phones to cope with loneliness and insomnia.

Many get into TikTok, Instagram and Facebook through links they receive in group chats, and the content captivates and keeps them online, she says.

Dr Kimberly Chew, a psychologist who runs AO Psychology, has observed smartphone dependency across a wide age range.

“People struggling with addiction often find self-control and discipline particularly challenging. This difficulty stems from the profound impact addiction has on the brain’s chemistry and functioning,” says Dr Chew.

Symptoms include anxiety or impatience without a device, a constant preoccupation with it, and physical discomfort such as wrist or neck pain. Consequences could extend to work or study, with users missing tasks or struggling to concentrate.

Dr Tan Hwee Sim, a psychiatrist at Raffles Counselling Centre, notes that while smartphone addiction is not yet formally recognised as a mental disorder, problematic use shows patterns similar to behavioural addictions.

“The signs and symptoms of smartphone addiction demonstrate the core symptoms of impaired control, which parallel those of substance-related and addictive disorders,” says Dr Tan.

According to the Singapore Optometric Association, optometry practices here are seeing more older adults with eye discomfort linked to increased use of smartphones and digital devices.

The most common issues they see are headaches from tired and strained eyes, dry eyes, and blurred or fluctuating vision after prolonged screen use, says the association.

“Older adults are more affected because the eyes naturally become drier and less flexible with age, so they don’t cope as well with long periods of near work.”

Why seniors are uniquely vulnerable to screen addiction

At the heart of compulsive screen use is dopamine, a brain chemical linked to anticipation.

Professor Gemma Calvert, a neuroscientist and a pioneer in neuromarketing, says: “Dopamine is the brain’s prediction chemical.”

Neuromarketing is a field that applies insights from brain science to understand how people respond to products, media and digital experiences.

Dopamine is released when the brain expects a reward – such as the next video, message or notification – rather than when the reward actually arrives.

Short-form video platforms are especially effective at triggering this response, says Prof Calvert, who teaches at Nanyang Technological University. Infinite scrolling removes natural stopping points, while algorithms deliver a steady stream of brief, emotionally charged clips.

Each swipe promises something new, keeping users in a constant state of anticipation.

“Never before in human history have we experienced dopamine stimulation this frequently... dozens, even hundreds of times a day,” she says.

These design features are not accidental. Digital platforms are built to maximise engagement by eliminating friction and encouraging continuous use.

Users can slip into what Prof Calvert describes as a “looped state”, where attention narrows and external cues fade.

“You can hear someone calling your name, but you can’t quite pull yourself away,” she says.

“You tell yourself, ‘Just one more second’, and that second stretches on.”

Over time, this pattern can turn casual viewing into compulsive behaviour, especially for those who rely on screens not just for entertainment, but also for comfort.

For seniors, many of whom have long, unstructured stretches of time, the absence of clear cues to stop can make disengaging particularly difficult.

Experts say older adults may be more vulnerable to digital dependence than younger users, not only because of loneliness, but also because retirement leaves large portions of the day unfilled.

Dr Munidasa Winslow, a psychiatrist who has treated patients for addiction for four decades, says: “Beyond social isolation, many older adults simply have more free time.

“Without routines to impose natural breaks, it’s easy to get absorbed in the device.”

For those who grew up offline, the immediacy of modern technology can be especially compelling.

Dr Winslow recalls sitting with his father as a child to listen to international news on the radio.

“Now, minute by minute, someone is telling you exactly what is happening on the other side of the world,” he says.

That constant stream of information creates a fast, unpredictable “buzz” that can make screens difficult to put down.

People rely on screens not just for news and entertainment, but also for social connection, shopping and daily tasks – all reinforcing the habit.

The combination of abundant free time, instant information and emotional reliance can turn casual use into compulsive patterns before they even notice. For some, that reliance gradually shifts from comfort to crutch: filling emotional gaps but sometimes crowding out other forms of connection and rest.

When company comes in a screen

Even those who have spent most of their lives offline now find screens indispensable.

Mr Lim Chong Lock, 78, illustrates how quickly that shift can occur. A retired taxi driver, he started using a smartphone when he was 71.

“I started very late compared with other people,” he says. Today, his Oppo A3x handles messaging, banking, shopping, entertainment and even online courses.

He says he spends two to three hours a day on his phone, sometimes more, playing games, watching YouTube or learning new skills.

“Seniors have a lot of free time,” he says.

“Without work or regular commitments, it’s easy to lose track of time.”

Yet, Mr Lim is wary of overuse. Platforms like TikTok worry him, and he limits himself to 15 minutes a day.

“Overall, it has been a good addition to my life,” he says. “But if you’re not careful, it can become a bad thing.”

In reality, his sense of control does not always match his habits. When The Straits Times shows him his phone’s screen-time data for one Wednesday in January, he is taken aback: He had spent more than six hours on TikTok, YouTube and mobile games.

“Wah, this is dangerous! I’m wasting my time, you know? I should be sleeping, but I didn’t even realise it,” he says.

Madam Shi Hui Jun, 78, is a retired logistics worker who lives with her daughter and son-in-law in Marsiling. Her husband died more than two decades ago.

Her mornings are structured around taiji or dance classes. She regularly attends events organised by the active ageing centre near her home.

But with her family working full time, much of her afternoon is spent alone.

To fill the hours, she turns to her Huawei smartphone and a tablet, watching videos, playing games and keeping in touch with family.

A typical day involves nearly seven hours of screen use – more than three on Toutiao, a Chinese news aggregator, and almost three on Xigua Video, a short-video platform.

The devices give her instant access to news, entertainment and social contact. Since learning to use a tablet, she has largely stopped watching television or listening to the radio.

“If I want to listen to a song, I can. If I want to talk to my siblings, I can,” she says. “(Screens) keep me company.

“If I don’t have my phone or tablet, I feel very lonely. I wouldn’t be used to it.”

Her story illustrates Dr Winslow’s warning. For seniors with abundant free time and instant access to information, screens can quickly shift from a pastime to a primary source of stimulation and connection, sometimes at the cost of their health and social engagement.

Since 2025, SAGE Counselling Centre’s Ms Ang has seen about 10 cases of seniors struggling with screen use, with two over AI-driven relationship issues.

Ms Ang says the centre has counselled a senior who thought WhatsApp’s Meta AI was her boyfriend and another who thought ChatGPT was an online friend.

The former, who is married, had wanted to leave her husband to start a life with her “boyfriend”, says Ms Ang. Even when her children intervened, asking her to arrange a meet-up with the AI “boyfriend”, she made excuses when “he” did not show up.

Associate Professor Carol Ma, head of gerontology programmes at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, says that once seniors learn to use apps like ChatGPT, many take to them quickly because the platforms offer them a space to share their private thoughts without feeling judged.

While such virtual interactions can help alleviate loneliness, she cautions that they can become a problem when seniors prefer them over human interaction.

Cost of prolonged screen use

Prolonged device use may worsen posture, and cause neck or wrist pain, and lack of exercise.

It can also have mental and social effects that may be subtler but no less significant.

Prof Calvert explains: “Rapid, bite-size content makes it hard for the brain to fully absorb information.

“There’s little time for memory encoding or sustained focus. Over time, concentration and recall can decline.”

Excessive scrolling can also amplify age-related memory issues. Hilda has observed this in her father, who has mild dementia.

“He asks the same questions repeatedly,” she says. “I think the phone makes it harder for him to remember things.”

Even when seniors are not watching screens, their attention may remain divided, limiting engagement with family or other activities.

Research supports these concerns. A 2023 study in Behavioural Sciences found that seniors who are more addicted to their phones tend to sleep worse.

The study also found that depression and loneliness in these older adults worsened the effect of smartphone addiction on sleep quality. It emphasised the importance of caring for the mental health of seniors, especially if they were also addicted to their phones.

Researchers say screens stimulate the brain through light, constant content and emotional engagement, keeping seniors alert when they should be winding down. Over time, this can erode sleep quality – and, by extension, overall health.

Dr Winslow adds: “These devices provide connection and stimulation, but without moderation, they can isolate seniors from the real-world interactions that are crucial for healthy ageing.”

Not relying on willpower to manage screen time

Under the Seniors Go Digital programme, the SG Digital Office (SDO) runs digital literacy workshops to help seniors pick up digital skills and knowledge for daily living.

Sessions are held each month across more than 30 SG Digital Community Hubs.

The workshops vary, and besides practical tips and avoiding scams, there is also a growing focus on digital well-being.

A session in February at NTUC’s active ageing centre in Bukit Batok West, which attracted an above-average number of attendees, was about managing screen time and setting device limits.

The workshop was led by Mr Zulfadhli Zainudin, a digital ambassador with SDO. He opened by asking participants if they knew how much time they spent on their phones each day.

“What would happen if you keep using your phone for so long? Later, you might even forget to pick up your grandkids from school,” he joked, drawing laughter from the group.

Many participants were surprised by how much time they spend on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

Ms Aie Bee, 74, a retired teacher who declined to give her full name, says: “Until you name it, people just merrily go along. They can be addicted and not even know it, but they can’t live without screens.”

Mr Zulfadhli says such sessions are becoming increasingly important.

“After learning the basics, it’s important that their digital well-being is taken care of, too,” he explains.

He adds that many seniors are unaware they can monitor their own screen time.

“When we create awareness that these tools exist, they begin to recognise it as a problem and take steps to reduce their usage on certain apps,” he says.

The sessions also highlight how devices can be used more mindfully. Features like app timers and usage reports help make screen habits more visible and manageable – often more effectively than relying on willpower alone.

A 2022 study in peer-reviewed journal Frontiers In Public Health investigated the relationship between real-life social support and internet addiction among 303 older adults in China aged 55 and above during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The researchers found that seniors with stronger offline support were less likely to develop internet addiction. Conversely, those with limited support often turned to the internet as a coping mechanism, sometimes straining their real-life relationships.

The study also showed that offline support can help curb excessive online use by increasing feelings of hope and reducing loneliness.

Experts emphasise that managing screen time is about moderation, not abstinence.

NUS’ Dr Pang notes that digital literacy for seniors should include using social media to stay connected, explore interests and participate in online communities – while avoiding overreliance on screens for companionship.

Dr Winslow says it can be hard for family members to remind seniors to cut down on screen time, as many older adults believe they already have it under control.

Instead of nagging, he suggests focusing on spending more time together.

“Seniors need meaningful activities to do with their families, and families must also make the effort to be present with their elders,” he says.

For Madam Shi, moderation remains a work in progress. In the evenings, when her daughter and son-in-law return from work, they share a cup of tea and catch up on their day. And when she goes to bed, she leaves her phone and tablet in the living room, instead of keeping them by her bedside.

She says technology is useful, though she is wary of watching “nonsense” or falling for scams. “I think seniors should still use technology,” she says. “But I think using it too much is not good for the brain.”