According to NordVPN survey: Austrians spend more than a quarter of their lives online

The survey was conducted by Syno International between June 1 and a later date in June 2026. In Austria, the nationally representative sample comprised 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 74, with quotas set according to age, gender, and place of residence, according to the company. In total, more than 20,000 internet users in 20 countries were surveyed, so the Austrian results are embedded in an international context.

Survey methodology

Austrians' online time is spent primarily on entertainment. Watching series and films dominates at four hours and 28 minutes per week, followed by listening to music at three hours and 56 minutes, and scrolling through social media at three hours and 31 minutes. In addition, there are a further three hours and 29 minutes per week spent watching online videos. Entertainment consumption is by far the largest driver of total online time.

Entertainment as the main driver

In addition to traditional entertainment formats, AI-powered applications are gaining in importance. On average, respondents already spend 45 minutes per week with AI chatbots. 13 percent consider artificial intelligence an indispensable part of their daily lives, and 16 percent believe that AI has improved their online lives. These figures indicate that AI applications are increasingly gaining a foothold in Austrian internet usage.

At the same time, the survey shows a remarkable matter-of-factness in dealing with the internet. 19 percent of respondents stated that they cannot imagine a whole day without the internet. Most reportedly start their online activity as early as 7:00 a.m. and do not end their internet use until 9:00 p.m. The day is thus characterized by an almost constant online companion.

AI usage on the rise

The parallel use of different services is particularly widespread. 27 percent are active on social media while simultaneously watching series or films. This multitasking not only increases total online time but also changes the way content is perceived and processed – a development that has so far received little attention in public debate.

What distinguishes the new survey from earlier data is the explicit linking of online time to life expectancy. With an average life expectancy of 82 years, people in Austria thus spend more than a quarter of their lives online in calculated terms – specifically 21 years, seven months, and 27 days. This projection makes the extent of internet usage visible in a way that goes beyond weekly or daily statistics.

A calculated quarter of life spent online

The intensive use goes hand in hand with a careless approach to sensitive personal data. 70 percent of respondents have disclosed their full name online, 69 percent their date of birth, and 54 percent their full home address on various platforms. These figures illustrate how widespread the sharing of identifying information is – often without conscious reflection on possible consequences.

Careless handling of personal data

NordVPN assesses this approach as "bemerkenswert offen" (remarkably open) when it comes to the most sensitive personal data. The cybersecurity firm sees this as a growing risk, particularly against the backdrop of increasing data leaks and the exploitation of personal information by third parties. The company also believes that technological advances in AI systems are exacerbating the situation.

Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN, stated: "Um unsere Daten und in weiterer Folge uns selbst zu schützen, reicht es nicht mehr aus, nur sichere Passwörter zu erstellen." He added: "Es bedeutet auch, zu verstehen, wie unsere Daten von den KI-Systemen, mit denen wir täglich interagieren, erfasst, genutzt und verarbeitet werden." In doing so, Briedis points to a second layer of protection that goes beyond classic password security.

The findings also raise questions about regulation and education. Since the majority of the population leaves personal data on various platforms, the attack surface for phishing, identity theft, and targeted manipulation is growing. Data protection authorities and consumer protection organizations regularly see such surveys as an indicator that prevention work needs to be brought more to the forefront.

Internationally comparable surveys show that the Austrian figures are above the Western European average but not out of the ordinary. In several countries, cybersecurity companies report similar rates of personal data disclosure. The Austrian data is therefore part of a broader European trend that underscores the need for uniform protection standards.

For the coming years, experts expect a further increase in online time, particularly due to the spread of AI applications, networked devices in the household, and new forms of entertainment. Should the trend of recent years continue, the share of life spent online could grow well beyond the current quarter.

The NordVPN survey is expressly not intended as a representative study in the statistical sense, but rather as a snapshot of Austrian internet usage. Nevertheless, it provides valuable indications of how deeply the internet is integrated into people's everyday lives – and how important a conscious approach to one's own data remains in an increasingly connected world.