Mexican users lead the world in screen time and rank fourth in generative AI usage, according to a new OECD study. The poll, conducted in 2025 among 14,611 people in 14 countries, found that Mexico is at the forefront of screen use and AI adoption, along with other emerging economies.
Mexico leads all countries in screen time, with more than 50% of Mexican respondents saying they spend more than 5 hours a day on recreational screen activities. This compares to the global average of 38%. Mexico also ranks first in heavy use of social networking services (SNS), defined as the use of at least three of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok multiple times per day in the past three months, at nearly 30%. By this measure, Mexico significantly outperformed respondents from second-place Brazil (20%) and countries such as Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, and South Korea (less than 10%). Meanwhile, Mexico ranked third among countries in the percentage of respondents who reported working remotely and using internet-connected devices such as smartwatches, fitness bands, and headsets.
Mexicans also reported strong engagement with AI. Mexico ranks fourth for active use of generative AI at just over 40%, with approximately 75% of all respondents agreeing that AI is “fully useful” or “somewhat helpful,” just under 75% reporting that AI is “completely trustworthy” or “somewhat trustworthy,” and over 60% describing AI as “fully ethical” or “somewhat ethical.” Only respondents in India, Brazil, and South Africa reported higher AI engagement numbers, while respondents in countries in Western Europe and East Asia reported being much more skeptical of AI and its applications.
Beyond Mexico, the survey highlights a global picture of uneven digital engagement and awareness, skewed toward younger demographics. While younger people consistently led the way in the use of social networking, remote work, and AI, older groups were less likely to adopt and were more skeptical. Social networking usage was highest among 18- to 25-year-olds, with women more active than men. Remote work was most common among adults ages 26 to 45.
These demographic trends are also reflected in the integration of AI in education and the workplace, with AI-related training being most common among younger and more educated respondents. Nationally, 46% of people aged 26 to 35 report having taken AI-related training in the past 12 months, compared to less than 20% of those aged 55 and older. Meanwhile, 36% of respondents with tertiary education took AI training, compared to 18% of respondents with only upper secondary education.
Perceptions about the impact of technology on relationships vary. Overall, 39% of respondents said digital tools have strengthened their relationships, with more positive opinions seen among people aged 18-45 and respondents from emerging economies. Women were 4 percentage points more likely to report a positive effect than men. Nevertheless, high recreational use was also found to be associated with feelings of fatigue and inattention, especially among young adults and women. 29% of respondents said spending too much time on a screen made them feel happy, while a similar proportion said they felt tired. Older people, particularly those over 56, were more likely to say technology has little or no impact on their relationships or emotions.
According to the OECD, high rates of recreational screen use are raising concerns about physical inactivity and mental fatigue, especially among young adults and adolescents. Growing optimism about generative AI among young people aged 18-35 and users in emerging countries suggests that education, occupation, and national context strongly shape AI adoption, acceptance, and expectations. The research highlights persistent digital divides across age, gender and geography, with younger generations and emerging economies driving the digital revolution, but potentially facing higher risks, including screen fatigue and over-reliance on digital social interactions.
