More Time Spent on Media than Sleeping [study]

Ofcom recently released a report about the communications market focusing on how we, the public, consume media. The study covered nearly 2,000 adults and 800 children and found that teenagers are the most ‘tech-savvy.’ In fact, the study goes so far as to say that four-year-olds have the same perceptiveness when it comes to communications technology as 45-year-olds.

Other notable facts include:

1. More time now spent on media than sleep

The average person now spends roughly 8 hours and 41 minutes on media and communication activities, compared to 8 hours and 21 minutes sleeping. Other non-media activities account for approximately 6 hours and 58 minutes.

2. Laptops, TV, and smartphones most popular

For adults, TV is the most popular activity, with about 244 minutes per day consumed. The number differs from 16-24 year olds, as laptops and desktops remain on top, with 299 minutes per day consumed. Smartphone usage for the 16-24 year old crowd average about 216 minutes per day, while with adults, that number averages about 82 minutes per day.

3. Google and Facebook dominate

Google sites and Facebook dominate the time spent online by those of every age. The digital audience spends 22.07 billion minutes on Google sites and 14.77 billion minutes on Facebook. Yahoo sites come in next, with 4.06 billion minutes. Even eBay has a rank in the top ten internet properties, coming in sixth with 2.51 billion minutes.

4. Tablet usage increased for in-demand content

Tablet usage for in-demand content (not short clips or videos, but full programs) rose from 12 percent in 2012 to 20 percent in 2013. Television watching also rose from 42 percent in 2012 to 47 percent in 2013. PC/Laptop watching took the brunt of the effects from the increases elsewhere, falling from 38 percent in 2012 to 24 percent in 2013.

Chief Executive of Ofcom, Ed Richards, commented on the findings:

"Our research shows that a 'millennium generation' is shaping communications habits for the future. While children and teenagers are the most digitally-savvy, all age groups are benefitting from new technology. We're now spending more time using media or communications than sleeping. The convenience and simplicity of smartphones and tablets are helping us cram more activities into our daily lives."

Sources:

• “Ofcom release results of the The Communications Market Report.” 2014. Childnet.com
• “Smartphones, tablets or TV: How do we consume media in 2014?” 2014. Econsultancy.com