We don’t take a holiday from internet and emails
IT USED to be the case that most of us would see a holiday as a perfect excuse to switch off from the day-to-day exertions of modern life.
This seems to be less true in this digital age we inhabit, and new research from Lloyds Bank suggests that as many as 90 per cent of us will still log on while we are on holiday.
In fact, this year we spent an average of 15 hours online during a five-day break, with that figure increasing to 17-and-a-half hours for 18 to 24-year-olds.
The most common activity was checking emails, with 75 per cent of those questioned admitting to trying to keep up to date with electronic correspondence while on holiday.
Interestingly, the biggest culprits here were the over-75s, with more than 90 per cent of this age group staying connected while away on holiday.
Fewer than one third of those questioned admitted to staying in control of their finances while on holiday and, for those who did, transferring money from a savings account to a current account was the most common activity, although more than 40 per cent of those questioned admitted to continuing to pay bills online while on holiday.
Nick Williams, managing director of consumer digital at Lloyds Bank, said: “While people are rightly taking the chance to take a break from their busy lives and have a digital detox on holiday, it’s important to stay in control of your finances, particularly at times when you might be spending more on things like trips, excursions and meals out.
“Convenient banking is exactly what people need when they’re away, so they can focus on enjoying their holiday.”
Away from personal finances it seems that most people still can’t go half a day without checking social media, with the average time without checking an account at just under 12 hours.
Just under one in three of 18 to 24 year olds thought it was important to receive “likes” on their social media activity.
Facebook was the most widely used app, with more than half using it while they are on holiday.