Theirtime

Theirtime is a sociocultural concept describing the portion of a person's time that others expect or require them to devote to tasks, obligations, or interactions, especially in contexts shaped by digital technologies and networked communication. It frames time as a scarce resource governed by social norms and power dynamics.

The term, a heuristic rather than a formal theory, is used in discussions of boundaries, consent, and labor in both professional and personal spheres. It distinguishes between “own time” and “theirtime” as domains that may be influenced or claimed by others, often through organizational policies, social expectations, or online platforms.

In practice, theirtime can manifest when workplaces convey expectations to respond outside regular hours, or when online environments generate constant notifications and requests for attention. It also appears in family or peer networks where individuals are expected to prioritise others’ needs. The concept is used to analyze how attention and availability are distributed, and how such distributions affect autonomy, well-being, and relationship dynamics.

Debates around theirtime focus on boundaries and permissions: proponents argue that naming and analysing theirtime helps address burnout, digital well-being, and fair labor practices; critics caution that the term may oversimplify complex obligations or ignore structural constraints such as caregiving duties or financial necessity.

See also: time management, work-life balance, boundaries, digital well-being.