Time spent online by adults in the UK jumped by nearly an hour in 2024, says Ofcom

UK adults in 2024 are online 4.2 hours daily, driven by 18-24 year-olds.

: Time online for UK adults rose to 4 hours and 20 minutes daily in 2024, marking a substantial increase from the previous year. Younger adults aged 18-24 are spending six hours and one minute online, primarily on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Major digital players Alphabet and Meta dominate online time, with YouTube and Facebook leading. Despite increased usage, there is growing concern about misinformation and harmful content.

UK adults are spending an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes online daily in 2024, as per Ofcom's Online Nation report. This is a notable increase compared to 3 hours and 41 minutes in 2023, driven by 18-24-year-olds spending a staggering six hours and one minute on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Social media usage is shaping the digital landscape, with Alphabet and Meta platforms consuming almost half of UK adults' online time. Noteworthy, YouTube is visited by 94% of adults, while Reddit sees a 47% user growth. Gender differences in usage patterns highlight women spend more time online, particularly on social media.

The digital safety landscape remains challenging, with rising misinformation and harmful content, especially affecting younger users. Ofcom reports an increase in adults encountering offensive content and misinformation, indicating a societal imbalance between digital and offline lives. The report emphasizes the need for improved protection measures, especially for children and teens online.