Internet usage in the United Kingdom (UK) - statistics & facts

What do Brits do on the internet?

The most common online activity in Great Britain is sending and receiving emails. Other activities pursued by 60 percent or more of adults in Britain are searching for information, social networking, reading the news and online banking. This leads the digital audience in the UK to spend an average of almost 25 hours a week on the internet. Roughly 47 minutes a day are spent on Google sites, more time than on any other internet property, and Google.com is the most visited website in the UK.

Mobile internet use in the UK

Mobile internet penetration in the UK is expected to grow from 91.4 percent in 2021 to 93.8 percent in 2026. In the same period the absolute number of mobile internet users is expected to rise to 65.22 million by 2026. The most popular types of app in the UK are social networking apps and messaging apps. The app which Brits can least do without on their mobile is WhatsApp.

COVID-19 impact on online behavior

In a survey carried out in the UK in July 2020, almost half of the respondents said they were using their mobile phone more than they used to. And just under a quarter said they were using smart TV or media streaming devices more. With people stuck at home and trying to access products which were in high demand, online search trends changed. There was huge growth in searches for anti-bacterial products, online games that could be played with friends, home workout equipment, and hair clippers.



This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.