Britons zone out after 14 minutes of reading, TV attention barely better, survey finds

A new UK-wide survey finds the average Briton can read about one chapter before zoning out, roughly 14 minutes, while attention to films and television runs to about 15 minutes. The poll of 2,000 nationally representative UK adults was conducted by Perspectus Global for Abbott, the healthcare company behind the Lingo biowearable device used to monitor glucose levels for non-medical purposes.

The findings show digital distractions are the leading culprits, with 43 percent naming notifications from platforms such as Instagram and Facebook as a primary reason for lost focus. Another 41 percent cited WhatsApp and other messaging alerts, while 26 percent pointed to constant Googling and 22 percent to doom-scrolling. Respondents reported an inability to concentrate for long even during basic tasks. On average, they could focus for 11 minutes on a virtual work call, 13 minutes in a face-to-face meeting and 12 minutes when composing an important email. Outside work, attention waned for 12 minutes doing life admin or 14 minutes at a family gathering. Those listening to podcasts could manage 11 minutes of focus, and meditation topped out at 10 minutes. Four in five respondents admitted they get distracted easily, averaging about eight distractions per day. Afternoons were the steepest drop, with 47 percent saying their productivity nosedives after lunch. Age also appears to be a factor, with 40 percent saying their concentration has worsened over time.

Beyond digital triggers, the survey points to other everyday factors. Sugar crashes were blamed by 30 percent, street noise by 25 percent, and the same share cited people talking loudly. Tiredness accounted for 23 percent, intrusive thoughts for 21 percent and mental overload for 13 percent. The link between sleep and focus was underscored by the finding that 72 percent said their concentration dips after a bad night’s sleep.

Abbott said the survey results are part of broader market research around Lingo, a glucose-monitoring biowearable intended for non-medical use. Sophie Bertrand, Abbott’s resident nutritionist for Lingo, said fluctuations in glucose can influence concentration: "One of the key factors in how well we can concentrate is glucose. When your glucose spikes and crashes, it can throw off your ability to focus. Understanding and managing your glucose curve can be a powerful tool for improving productivity and mental clarity throughout the day."

Experts caution that the numbers reflect self-reported experiences from a specific sample and may not apply universally, but researchers say the pattern of digital-device distractions, lifestyle factors and sleep quality is consistent with other studies on attention in contemporary life. The findings raise questions for employers and educators about how to structure work and study environments, as well as for individuals seeking practical steps to sustain focus across a typical day.

With the backdrop of rising attention challenges, the study adds to discussions about how to balance screen time, meals and rest. While the data can't determine causation, the relationships it highlights—between notifications, glucose fluctuations and mid-afternoon dips—provide a framework for considering strategies such as scheduled breaks, nutrition-aware planning and environments designed to minimize interruptions.