A survey by the operator found that over a third of people plan to cut down their screen time as part of their New Year’s resolutions
Brits are reaching for their mobile phones as soon as they wake up, with network traffic spikes detected immediately after 6am, 7am and 8am, according to data.
Millions of people grab their phone on the hour – likely when most alarms are set – and start scrolling, suggests data from Virgin Media O2. A separate survey by the operator found that over a third of Brits (35%) plan to cut down their screen time as part of their New Year’s resolutions.
The company said these morning data surges were revealed through its broadband network analysis, which it claims is a reliable indicator of the UK public’s connectivity habits.
It identified three jumps in activity almost immediately after 6am, 7am and 8am, suggesting people reach for their phones to switch off their alarms and instantly start scrolling. Some 81% of people admitted they reach for their phones first thing most days, with 75% immediately checking their social media feeds and more than half (52%) checking news feeds.
A fifth (21%) said they looked at the day’s forecast, while 18% checked for disruptions to their commute. Some 6% scanned the stock market before they got out of bed.
Alongside a third of people aiming to reduce their screen time, three quarters said they were hoping to improve their mental health – with a further two thirds (65%) wanting to sleep better. Half of those surveyed (49%) confessed to previous unsuccessful attempts to reduce screen time.
Virgin Media O2 highlights unprecedented data usage figures, pointing to a record surge in broadband consumption of 8.1% on their network for the past year. Three quarters of individuals have admitted dependence on digital devices for daily chores, yet 65% express concern about potential social disconnection if they reduce screen time.
The public finds social media (78%) the toughest to cut back on, followed by messaging apps (75%) and video streaming services (68%). Virgin Media O2’s CTO, Jeanie York, commented on the findings, remarking: “Our data shows the importance of connectivity to people’s lives and the role it can play in kicking off the day.”
She further added: “Millions of people in the UK are privileged enough to have world news at their fingertips before their feet even touch the floor, and we’re proud to be unlocking so many possibilities through our fixed and mobile networks.”
The survey was conducted by Strand Partners, who consulted 1,100 UK consumers from January 3-6.
