Ofcom Online Nation 2025 Report Reveals Rise in UK Adults' Online Time and Mixed Public Sentiment
The Ofcom Online Nation 2025 report indicates that the average UK adult spends 4 hours and 30 minutes online daily, an increase of 31 minutes compared to 2021.
Public sentiment about the internet has shifted, with 33% of people viewing online activity as good for society, down from 40% in 2024. Despite this decline, nearly two-thirds believe the benefits of online presence outweigh the risks.
Many adults find the internet a source of creativity and a tool to broaden understanding, with approximately 75% stating it helps widen their worldview.
Among children aged 8 to 17, over 80% are content with their online time. However, concerns remain about potential negative effects, including worries about 'brain rot' and the impact of endless scrolling.
Data shows that 8 to 14-year-olds spend up to 25% of their online time during late-night hours (between 21:00 and 05:00) on four main services: YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
Following the implementation of age checks mandated by the Online Safety Act from July 25, there was a notable increase in VPN use as some users sought to bypass these measures. Daily VPN users rose from about 650,000 before July to over 1.4 million in mid-August, then decreased to approximately 900,000 by November.
Among adolescents aged 13 to 17, 69% used online services to support their wellbeing. Over half engaged with ASMR content to relax, while about 70% reported encountering issues related to self-improvement media.
