A study by Ofcom has revealed the transformation in our behaviour in the last 10 years, brought about by changes in technology.
One in five people spend more than 40 hours a week online and are checking their smart phone every 12 minutes.
Back in 2008 just 17% of people owned a smartphone, now the number is risen to 78%, and 95% among 16 to 24 year olds.
People in the UK now check their smartphones, on average, every 12 minutes of the waking day. Two in five adults (40%) first look at their phone within five minutes of waking up, climbing to 65% of those aged under 35. Similarly, 37% of adults check their phones five minutes before lights out, again rising to 60% of under-35s.
Ian Macrae, Ofcom’s Director of Market Intelligence, said: “Over the last decade, people’s lives have been transformed by the rise of the smartphone, together with better access to the internet and new services.
“Whether it’s working flexibly, keeping up with current affairs or shopping online, we can do more on the move than ever before. But while people appreciate their smartphone as their constant companion, some are finding themselves feeling overloaded when online, or frustrated when they’re not.”
In the TV sector, ownership of digital video recorders has grown from 20% to 56% over 10 years. Smart TVs from a standing start to 42% with the new smart speakers already registering 13% ownership.