Ofcom Reveals How UK Users Spent Their Time Online In 2025

Online Usage Trends in the UK for 2025

The Online Nation 2025 report by Ofcom provides insights into the daily online activities of individuals in the UK. Adults are reported to spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes online daily, with women averaging 4 hours and 43 minutes, 26 minutes more than men. Mobile phones remain the primary means of accessing the internet, with adults using approximately 41 apps monthly. Popular applications include WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Maps. Two major global companies account for over half of all online minutes in the UK. YouTube reaches 94% of adults, who spend an average of 51 minutes daily on the platform using non-television devices.

Search patterns have evolved, with Google Search facilitating approximately 3 billion monthly searches within the UK. Ofcom notes that AI summaries now appear in about 30% of these searches, with 53% of adults encountering them frequently. ChatGPT usage has significantly increased, recording 1.8 billion visits in the first eight months of 2025 compared to 368 million during the same period last year.

Public perception of the internet's societal impact has declined, with only 33% of adults considering it beneficial, down from 40% the previous year. The belief that personal benefits of online engagement outweigh risks has also decreased, now at 65%, compared to 71% two years prior. Comfort in expressing oneself online has diminished, with only 25% feeling freer online than offline, a decrease from last year's 30%. Additionally, only 35% feel they can more easily share their opinions online, indicating increased caution.

Children aged 8 to 14 spend approximately 3 hours online daily, with those aged 13 and 14 increasing to about 4 hours. YouTube and Google Search are almost universally used among this age group, with YouTube accounting for 48 minutes and Snapchat for 45 minutes of daily use. Late-night online engagement is common, with 15% to 24% of time on platforms like YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and WhatsApp occurring between 9 PM and 5 AM, and 4% to 10% after 11 PM.

Despite some concerns, the majority of children report positive online experiences, with 90% feeling content with their online activities. Social platforms are seen as valuable for maintaining connections, with 72% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 feeling closer to friends through social and messaging apps. The internet also plays a significant role in education, with 78% of children acknowledging its usefulness for schoolwork and 55% using it to learn new skills.

Among those aged 11 to 17, 70% encountered harmful content in the past four weeks, and nearly two-thirds took action by using dislike tools, reporting content, or blocking the source. Some also sought assistance from adults. These findings were gathered before new child protection regulations, effective July 2025, which mandate stringent age verification and require platforms to prevent harmful content from reaching children. These regulations also enhance reporting tools and enforce actions against harmful material.

Ofcom identified that 58% of children aged 8 to 17 made online purchases in the past month, primarily on gaming and social platforms. Influences include character upgrades, advertisements, peers, and influencer content. Regret over purchases was reported by 32% in gaming and 43% on social platforms, with 42% expressing confusion about the nature of their purchases during gaming sessions.

Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.