According to recent findings, UK adults spend an average of nearly 4.5 hours per day on the internet, and this figure continues to climb each year. The internet provides us with quick and easy access to countless online platforms offering a range of products and services, and it also enables us to communicate with others in exciting new ways.
All you need is a PC or mobile device connected to the internet so you can enjoy everything from playing games online and shopping on your favourite sites to watching videos, movies and television shows, working and editing videos from almost any location on the planet, at any time of day.
Below, we take a closer look at why people in the United Kingdom are spending more time than ever online.
Why are people in the UK spending so much time online?
It’s not just people in the UK who are spending more time than ever online. A similar pattern is occurring with people in other countries who have reliable internet access, and it’s due to a combination of factors.
When the internet was first introduced, connections were terrible compared to today, websites and web browsers were very basic, online security was nearly non-existent and people could only access the internet from PC.
The internet has rapidly evolved over the years, and the devices that we can access the internet from now include mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
Faster internet speeds, and several other new technologies have also made being online more appealing than ever.
For instance, live streaming capabilities, more powerful PCs and mobile devices, cloud gaming, sophisticated cybersecurity measures, better regulations and more responsive, user-friendly websites and web browsers have improved the online experience significantly.
Additionally, social media platforms, online banking and personal finance websites, digital entertainment platforms and eCommerce sites have made people’s everyday lives easier, more productive and fun.
People can also use their devices to pay for things out in the real world at point-of-sale machines using mobile wallets and other digital payment solutions, instead of using physical cash or credit/debit cards.
The internet has evolved to the point where it now provides us with a secure and convenient environment to do just about anything. It has taken the stress out of tasks that would have normally taken a lot more time, effort and money to carry out. Without the internet, most of us would be lost.
How do people in the UK chill out online in their spare time?
People like to chill out online in their spare time in various ways, such as scrolling through videos on YouTube, shopping, playing games on various platforms and watching movies and TV shows on sites like Netflix and Prime. Watching live sporting events, listening to music or podcasts, learning new skills and staying on top of the latest news in the local area are also popular pastimes.
More people than ever also enjoy playing games on casino sites, placing wagers on sporting events on the UK’s best betting sites, and playing bingo and lottery-style games.
They also like to play traditional video games, open-world MMORPGs or use a virtual reality headset to immerse themselves in a highly sophisticated 3D computer-generated environment, such as the Sandbox, Axie Infinity, Decentraland, Roblox or Fortnite.
Rapidly evolving technologies have created more immersive experiences, which has increased screen time for most of us.
Over the coming years, technology will continue to evolve, and things like artificial intelligence, enhanced cybersecurity, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, the mass adoption of VR technology and more powerful devices will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible online.
Emerging technologies, a shift in behaviour and trends and the ever-changing digital landscape will make the internet even more appealing for those in the UK and beyond who want to relax and unwind.
How to find a safe online gaming site in the UK in 2025
If you are interested in playing games online in your spare time, it’s important that you find a suitable site that won’t let you down. Before signing up anywhere, consider reading expert reviews first to see whether the site you are considering joining is safe or not.
If you’re 18 or over, live in the UK and want to play classic table games, you should only play at UK-licensed iGaming sites to ensure you have the most enjoyable and safest experience.
The reviews will give you much better insight into the gaming site you are considering joining. The top sites have a broad range of games from market-leading software providers and are free to join.
Conclusion
You can access today’s safest UK iGaming platforms using a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, and you can sign up in under a minute. Just remember to use the safer gambling tools when playing at online casinos or sportsbooks to keep things safe and fun.
When you next go online to chill out, whatever you decide to do in your spare time, always remember to take frequent breaks and don’t spend all day staring at the screen.