Ofcom: Britons Addicted to Smartphones

A quarter of British adults and half of teens now own a smartphone, according to Ofcom. And while they’re great for tasks ranging from money management to social media, increasing numbers of us are getting ‘addicted’ to them.

Smartphones are in high demand, with applications like Facebook and Twitter fuelling a growing trend of smartphone addiction, according to the media regulator Ofcom.

Ofcom’s Communications Market Report, published on Thursday, found that 47% of British teenagers and 27% of adults now own a smartphone – with the most popular activities on such devices being Facebook and email.

In it’s poll of 2,073 adults (16 years and older) and 521 teenagers (between 12 and 15 years) in March, Ofcom found that 37% of adults surveyed admitted an ‘addiction’ to their smartphones – this figure rises to 60% for teenagers.

The survey also found that smartphones are changing our routines and the way we socialise. 82% of adults said they carry their handsets with them at all times, while 51% use them in social situations. Nearly 1 in 4 have used one during a meal with other people present.

The most popular smartphone brand overall was found to be Apple’s iPhone, but this was superseded by RIM’s BlackBerry devices among younger users.

According to research by GfK Retail and Technology UK published in The Guardian, just over half of the 13.6 million mobiles sold in the UK in the first half of this year were smartphones – making them not just the most popular handsets, but also the fastest-growing mobile segment.

Ofcom’s director of research, James Thickett, commented: “Our research into the use of smartphones, in particular, reveals how quickly people become reliant on new technology – to the point of feeling addicted. As more and more people acquire smartphones, they are becoming an essential tool in peoples’ social lives whether they are out with friends socialising or using Facebook on the move.”

Moneyhighstreet comments: “With their increased functionality and the ability to do things like browse the web or shop on the go, it’s no wonder smartphone use has soared.

“While people may spend most of their time on Facebook, it’s important to remember that smatphones can also help you manage your personal finances through apps for mobile banking, home insurance and even healthcare.

“So make sure you take advantage of the new technology not just for communication, but to help you manage your money as well.”