Screen time

Latest broadcasting statistics continue to confirm that young people watch less scheduled television than other age groups (British Audience Research Board, 2018). Much teenage viewing behaviour now centres around streamed and downloaded programmes from providers such as YouTube and Netflix. It is difficult to obtain accurate data about these behaviours.

In 2020 98% of 16-24 year olds in the UK owned a smartphone (Statista, 2020).  There is growing recognition that new media and communications devices offer platforms for health interventions that may be particularly suitable for young people (Reid Chassiakos et al, 2016; Royal Society of Public Health, 2017; House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, 2019). Even before the Covid-19 lockdowns, there was a rise in young people using the internet for making doctor’s appointments from 7% in 2016 to 20% in 2020 (ONS, 2020).

The Office for National Statistics 2020 internet access survey (undertaken before the Covid-19 pandemic) shows the most common internet activities for 16-24 year (Chart 2.15). These were social media engagement, emailing and listening to listening to music.

Ofcom’s ‘Online Nation 2020’ report states that 70% of 12-15 year olds have a social media profile, with Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat all equally popular. Mobile phones are the most commonly used online device by 11-15 year olds (Chart 2.16) (Ofcom, 2020).    

In the Ofcom survey, eight out of ten 12-15 year olds reported a negative online experience in the past year. The most common of these were offensive language, spam emails and unwelcome friend/follow/contact from strangers (Chart 2.17).

All data correct as of 1st November 2021