Common questions about how the attention loss tracker works, where the data comes from, and what the numbers mean.
Attention Leak measures the total collective human time spent on major social media, streaming, and parasocial platforms. It converts that time into human years — showing how much of humanity's finite attention is consumed by these platforms each year.
We take publicly available data on average minutes per user per day for each platform, multiply it by the estimated number of daily active users, then convert the result into human years. The counter updates in real time based on how far we are through the current calendar year. See the full methodology page for the exact formula and sources.
The counter includes major social media and video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and others. The exact set of platforms and their inputs are documented on the methodology page. We only include platforms where reliable usage data is publicly available.
All platform usage data comes from the DataReportal Digital 2026 Global Overview report, which aggregates publicly available app usage statistics from data.ai and platform ad-reach estimates. We do not collect or use any personal data.
These are estimates based on publicly reported figures. No one outside the platforms themselves has access to exact usage data. We aim for transparency: every input and the full calculation are shown on the methodology page, so anyone can review or challenge the numbers.
The regional view breaks down the same calculation for three geographies: global, North America, and the United States. Different regions have different platform usage patterns and different numbers of users, which produces different totals.
Attention capital is the dollar value of the time you spend on platforms, calculated using your self-reported hours per day and your estimated hourly value. It shows the opportunity cost of that time — what it might be worth if directed elsewhere.
The underlying source data comes from DataReportal and data.ai, which are publicly available reports. The Attention Leak calculation methodology is documented openly on this site. Please attribute appropriately if you reference our specific framing or figures.
No. Attention Leak does not collect, store, or track any personal usage data. The personal calculator stores your inputs temporarily in your browser session only and never sends them to any server.
Hours is an abstract number when the figures are in the billions or trillions. Converting to human years gives a more intuitive sense of scale — it becomes easier to understand what it means when the number represents recognizable units of a human life.
The full methodology including data sources and the exact calculation formula is available on the methodology page.