We’ll spend 7 hours and 24 minutes on web on December 25
AFTER many were forced to see loved ones via screens last Christmas, you might think we’d spend less time online this year.
But a survey has found Britons are set to spend an average of seven hours and 24 minutes using the internet on Christmas Day for the most ‘connected’ festive break ever.
Many will be going overboard to spend time with family and friends this festive season, including watching TV together (62 per cent), making video calls to one another (33 per cent) and sharing photos online (29 per cent). A survey of 2,000 adults found a third believe it’s more important than ever to feel close to loved ones after the isolation caused by last year’s restrictions. And 42 per cent plan to have their most ‘connected’ Christmas ever.
As a result, the average adult will spend almost sevenand-a-half hours online on December 25, which includes one hour of video calls, an hour and 42 minutes watching films on internet streaming services and an hour and 12 minutes scrolling on social media. Offline ways people plan to spend time with their relatives on the day include eating together (73 per cent), going for a walk (50 per cent) and playing board games (47 per cent).
The research, commissioned by full-fibre broadband provider Hyperoptic, found almost a fifth would feel lonely during the festive season without any technology.
And a third believe that while it’s impossible to see all family and friends over Christmas, access to the internet allows them to stay in touch.
Hyperoptic’s managing director Charles Davies said: ‘The research shows how families hope to be more connected than ever despite the changing landscape of Christmas again this year.’
He added: ‘Technology and internet connection clearly plays a vital part in celebrating with family and friends who don’t live locally.’