Digitally Booming Britain

By Christopher Nickson
August 24, 2007

A new survey tracks the increasing digital habits of Britons.

The fourth annual survey into Britain’s digital habits has revealed some changing patterns. The survey, carried out by government body, Ofcom, shows that more women than men in the 24-34 demographic are spending time online. Among the so-called silver surfer group of those aged 65+, 16% of them spend over 42 hours a month online (actually more than any other age group). 15% of 13-15 year olds and 7% of 10 year olds have their own webcam, and more than 75% of 11 year olds have their own TV, games console and mobile phone. Among the young, as web and mobile use increases, time spent on video games has declined. In other words, “As a whole people are using communications services more than they were five years ago," said James Thickett, Ofcom's research director. On average, Britons now spend 50 hours per week on the phone, using the net, watching TV or listening to the radio. However, what’s interesting is the way the mix of those things has altered radically over the last few years. Daily mobile phone use is up 58% on 2002 and, over the same period, net use has grown by 158%. However, Britons spend far less time watching TV, listening to the radio or chatting on a fixed line phone. The Young people spend less time listening to radio and playing video games, and now spend as much time on their mobile phone as they do playing computer and console games. It’s hardly astonishing to learn that more popular among younger people are mobile music players and using the net. Additionally, ownership of a digital video recorder has changed viewing habits. Many prefer to watch programmes saved to DVR rather than DVD.