UK’s Mobile Phone Usage Surpasses TV Viewing for the First Time

For the first time, people in the UK are spending more time on their mobile phones than watching television. This shift is particularly noticeable among younger people, with 15 to 24-year-olds spending nearly five hours a day on their phones. According to a survey by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), the average person now spends 3 hours and 21 minutes on their mobile devices each day, compared to 3 hours and 16 minutes watching TV. This marks a significant change after 20 years of data collection by the IPA. Mobile phones are often ‘always on,’ with people checking them throughout the day, while TV is typically watched in the evening. Additionally, a separate report found that people under 25 spend less time watching traditional TV and more time on their phones, while older generations still favor TV. The rise of mobile phone use is linked to the increasing importance of social media and news platforms, with traditional news outlets struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, content creators on platforms like YouTube and TikTok are gaining prominence. Despite the rise of misinformation, trusted news brands are still valued by most generations, though they are no longer the primary source of information.