23 August 2007
Surfing the internet and chatting on a mobile phone is catching up with listening to the radio and watching the television as one of Britons' favourite ways to spend their leisure time.
According to Ofcom's annual Communications Market Report 2007, average daily internet use has climbed by 158% on figures reported in 2002, with time devoted to using mobile phones up by 58%.
Meanwhile, it seems we are now watching less TV and listening to the radio, with these figures down by 4% to three hours 36 minutes per month, and 2% to two hours and 50 minutes per month respectively.
Young women have overtaken their male counterparts as the group most likely to spend their leisure time surfing the internet, with those aged between 25-34 accounting for 55% of the total time spent online for this age category.
What's more, so-called silver surfers are also using the internet more frequently, with 16% of over-65s spending an average of 42 hours per month online, more than any other age group.
Ofcom Partner of Strategy and Market Developments, Peter Phillips said: "This comprehensive survey shows how our communications sector continues to develop at a fast-pace, with consumers of all ages using a range of devices to find the services they want at lower prices."
He added: "Industry innovation and competition continue to deliver significant benefits to the UK economy and consumers."
According to the regulator's figures teenagers are now becoming more technologically advanced than ever, with three quarters of 11-year-olds now admitting to having their own TV, games console and mobile phone.