Time Spent Online by UK Adults Rises by Nearly an Hour in 2025
According to Ofcom’s annual Online Nation report, adults in the UK now spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes online daily across smartphones, tablets, and computers.
This marks a significant increase from 2023, when the average was 3 hours and 41 minutes. The rise is particularly notable among younger adults, who are driving the overall trend.
Key Findings
1. Time Spent Online by Age Group
| Age Group | Daily Online Time (2025) | Change from 2023 |
| 18–24 years | 6 hours 1 minute | +1 hour 25 minutes |
| 25–34 years | 5 hours 12 minutes | +51 minutes |
| 35–44 years | 4 hours 30 minutes | +49 minutes |
| 45–54 years | 3 hours 55 minutes | +34 minutes |
| 55–64 years | 3 hours 20 minutes | +19 minutes |
| 65+ years | 3 hours 10 minutes | +10 minutes |
Younger adults (18–24 years) are the most active online, spending over 6 hours daily, largely driven by platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In contrast, seniors (65+ years) spend the least time online, averaging 3 hours and 10 minutes.
2. Dominance of Alphabet and Meta
Alphabet (Google) and Meta dominate the UK’s online landscape, accounting for nearly half of all time spent online.
| Platform | Penetration | Daily Usage |
| YouTube | 94% of adults | 49 minutes |
| 91% of adults | 15 minutes (18–24 yrs) | |
| 70% of adults | N/A | |
| 70% of adults | N/A |
Despite Facebook’s high penetration, it remains unpopular among 18–24-year-olds, who spend just 15 minutes daily on the platform.
3. Gender Differences in Online Behavior
Women spend more time online than men, with notable differences in content preferences.
| Gender | Daily Online Time | Key Insights |
| Women | 4 hours 36 minutes | Prefer social media platforms like TikTok (ranked 10th for women, 16th for men). |
| Men | 4 hours 3 minutes | More likely to adopt generative AI tools (50% vs. 33% for women). |
Women’s preference for social media platforms, which are designed to maximize engagement, contributes to their longer online time.
4. Social Media Rankings and Trends
The social media hierarchy remains stable, but newer platforms are gaining traction.
| Platform | Rank | Key Insights |
| YouTube | 1 | Most visited platform, with 94% of adults using it. |
| 2 | High penetration but declining engagement among younger users. | |
| 3 | Popular across all age groups, especially younger adults. | |
| TikTok | 4 | Rapidly growing, particularly among Gen Z. |
| 5 | Fastest-growing platform, up 47% in user base from 2023. | |
| X (Twitter) | 6 | Declining in popularity, surpassed by Reddit. |
| 7 | Steady growth, particularly among professionals. | |
| Threads | 8 | Meta’s new platform, with 6.6 million users. |
| Bluesky | 9 | Rapid growth, reaching 461,000 users by September 2024. |
| Snapchat | 10 | Popular among younger users but ignored by older demographics. |
Reddit’s growth is particularly noteworthy, with its user base increasing by 47% in 2025. Meanwhile, newer platforms like Bluesky and Threads are gaining momentum, though they still lag behind established players.
5. Generative AI Adoption
Generative AI is still in its early stages, but men are more likely to adopt these tools than women.
| Gender | Adoption Rate | Key Insights |
| Men | 50% | More likely to use generative AI services and recognize their benefits. |
| Women | 33% | Less familiar with generative AI and more skeptical of its societal impact. |
6. Online Safety and Concerns
Ofcom’s report highlights growing concerns about online safety and harmful content.
| Concern | Percentage of Users Affected | Key Insights |
| Misinformation | 39% (ages 13+) | Up from 2023, with users encountering false or misleading content. |
| Uncomfortable/Upsetting Content | 30% (ages 13+) | Increased exposure to negative or harmful content. |
| Hateful/Offensive Content | 26% (adults) | Rise in encounters with discriminatory or offensive material. |
| Underage Access | 20% (ages 8–15) | Children lying about their age to access social media platforms. |
Younger users are particularly vulnerable, with 35% of teens encountering offensive language and harmful content related to body image.
Conclusion
The UK’s digital landscape is evolving rapidly, with younger adults driving increased online activity. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit dominate, while newer entrants like Bluesky and Threads are gaining traction.
However, concerns about online safety, misinformation, and harmful content remain significant. As digital adoption grows, regulators and platforms must work together to create a safer and more balanced online environment.
