BROADBAND’S LOCKDOWN SURGE

RELIANCE on broadband has surged during the pandemic as more people go online to support their physical and mental health, research shows.

Virgin Media Ireland saw a 40% hike in its data usage during lockdown months, as customers say they relied heavily on internet services to maintain their physical and mental health during the pandemic.

Research has also found that throughout the health crisis, the majority of people have been using the internet more regularly for health-related information and support.

The survey, which was carried out by Amárach on 2,000 people in mid-July, revealed how the public felt lockdown impacted on their physical and mental health. While 80% said their physical health remained good during this time, around four in ten people felt their mental health ranged from poor to middling during the current pandemic and recent lockdown.

Many respondents relied heavily on the internet to maintain both their physical and mental health during this period.

There was a strong link between those who said both their physical and mental health had stayed resilient during the crisis to date. Almost two-thirds are taking part in live, online fitness and training classes more often then they usually would, and three in ten say this will continue in the future. Meanwhile, half said they had accessed a mix of videos, podcasts, blogs and social media specifically to support their wellbeing during the lockdown.