Attention Span Shrinks as Americans Read Less, Study Finds

Expert Gloria Mark shares 5 tips to improve focus and regain deep concentration

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:05pm

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As people spend more time scrolling on social media and less time reading books, their ability to focus on tasks is declining, according to attention span researcher Gloria Mark. Mark's studies have found the average person's attention span has dropped from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to just 47 seconds in 2016. To help combat this trend, Mark suggests five strategies: getting quality sleep, setting specific goals, recognizing your attention cycles, reading books, and practicing "meta-awareness" to stay on task.

Why it matters

Declining attention spans can have ripple effects, including lower information retention and increased stress. Maintaining focus is crucial for productivity, learning, and overall well-being. Mark's research highlights the importance of intentionally strengthening our attention "muscles" through proven techniques.

The details

Mark's research has shown dramatic declines in Americans' attention spans over the past two decades. In 2004, the average person focused on a single screen for about 2.5 minutes, but by 2016 that number had dropped to just 47 seconds. Additionally, the percentage of Americans reading daily for pleasure fell by more than 40% between 2003 and 2023. A shrinking attention span is linked to lower information recall and increased stress.

  • In April 2004, Mark's early research showed the average person focused on a single screen for about 2.5 minutes.
  • By 2016, that number had dropped to just 47 seconds.
  • Between 2003 and 2023, the percentage of Americans reading daily for pleasure fell by more than 40%.

The players

Gloria Mark

A Chancellor's professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, who has conducted extensive research on attention spans.

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What they’re saying

“When we're focused, we're reflective, we can deliberate, we can think more deeply. And when we do that, we can retain information better.”

— Gloria Mark, Chancellor's professor of informatics

“We're just out of practice, and we're not using our mind's muscles to focus for lengthy periods. We have to get back into practice.”

— Gloria Mark, Chancellor's professor of informatics

The takeaway

Improving attention span and regaining the ability to focus deeply is crucial in today's distraction-filled world. By following Mark's evidence-based strategies, individuals can strengthen their cognitive "muscles" and boost productivity, learning, and overall well-being.