Youngsters who binge-watch Netflix while scrolling TikTok are boosting global warming, warns boffin

YOUNGSTERS who binge-watch Netflix while scrolling TikTok on their phones are boosting global warming, an expert said.

Streaming endless TV shows generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions, Finnish academic Dr Kari Hiekkanen revealed.

And he pointed out doing it while also browsing social media requires a lot of extra energy.

Dr Hiekkanen said: “Every device, including its manufacturing process, consumes electricity.

"Emissions from information and communication technology (ICT) represents an ‘inconvenient truth’.

“Digitalisation has been touted as a solution to numerous challenges, yet it is crucial people recognise it comes with problems.”

In 2023, Google’s energy consumption equalled a quarter of the annual energy used in Finland.

Dr Hiekkanen went on: “There is a broad agreement among scientists that ICT services have already surpassed aviation in carbon emissions, several years ago.

“This will only get worse with the ever-growing demand on ICT services.”

The boffin said that raising awareness is key, and this involves recognising that digital consumption uses energy.

"It’s time for consumers to reclaim control over how they spend their time," he said.