In bed, on the loo and in front of the TV: New research reveals where, and how often, Aussies are scrolling

More than a quarter of Aussies can’t go longer than 30 minutes without checking phone¹1Source: iSelect commissioned PureProfile to conduct an online survey during June 2026. The sample size is n=1,106.

New research from iSelect has laid bare just how tightly Aussies’ lives revolve around their mobile phones, with more than half admitting they regularly scroll from bed and one in three unable to leave their phone alone on public transport.

The survey also revealed bed is by far the most common place to use a mobile phone, with 52% of respondents saying they regularly reach for their handset while lying down. 

Watching TV or movies wasn’t far behind, with half of Aussies (50%) admitting to scrolling while a show or film plays in the background.

Public transport rounded out the top three at 33%, while a quarter of respondents said they regularly use their phone on the toilet (25%) and while eating meals (25%). 

Location/situation
In bed (52%)
While watching TV/movies (50%)
While using public transport (33%)
On the toilet (25%)
While eating meals (25%)
At work (23%)
While cooking (15%)
Walking outside along busy streets (14%)
Walking the dog/in nature (10%)
During meetings/classes (9%)
At the gym (9%)

iSelect’s Sophie Ryan said the findings show just how embedded mobile phones have become in Ausses’ daily routines.

“Our phones have become the last thing we look at before we fall asleep and the first thing we check after a movie end,” she explained.

“It’s no longer just a device for calls and messages — it’s where we shop, stream, bank and stay connected, all day, every day.” 

The research also asked Aussies how long they could comfortably go without checking their phone. 

Sophie explained more than one in ten (11%) said they’d struggle to last even 15 minutes, and more than a quarter (28%) said they couldn’t go longer than half an hour. 

Sophie added that at other end of the scale, just 12% said they could happily go a full day or more without checking in.

% of time comfortable without checking phone
Less than 5 minutes (3%)
Less than 15 minutes (8%)
15-30 minutes 17%)
30-60 minutes (23%)
Several hours (37%)
A full day or more (12%)

With bed and the couch topping the list of places Aussies scroll, much of this phone use is likely happening at home over Wi-Fi rather than out and about on mobile data, putting growing pressure on household internet plans to keep up with the streaming, scrolling and calls.

Sophie explained that when you’re using your phone in bed or in front of the TV, chances are it’s your home internet doing the heavy lifting.

“As screen habits creep up, it’s worth checking your plan can handle it. An unsuitable internet plan could mean buffering, dropouts or paying for far more speed than you need,” Sophie said. 

“Comparing internet plans regularly, particularly as household data use climbs, can be a great way to ensure you’re not overpaying for a plan that doesn’t match how households are using their time online.” 

Beyond data use, the findings raise questions about the toll constant phone use can take on Aussies’ health. 

Sophie added that scrolling in bed has been linked to disrupted sleep, while hours spent hunched over a screen can contribute to eye strain and poor posture — all issues that may fall under the extras cover offered by many health insurance policies.

“Constant scrolling, especially right before bed, can affect sleep quality, eye health and even posture over time,” Sophie said. 

“These are exactly the sorts of things extras cover can help with, whether that’s optical, physio or other allied health services.”

– ENDS –   

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