Study – Reliable UK Broadband More Important Than Partner
A new YouGov survey of 4,100 UK people, which was commissioned by UK ISP TalkTalk, has claimed that for 50% of respondents access to “reliable broadband” is more important than their partner and 7 in 10 would even prioritise it over their family pet (this may depend what they mean – in the practical sense – by “prioritise“).
The survey also revealed that 68% of respondents felt angry or anxious when their internet doesn’t work [insert pun about certain ISPs] and a third of people say they spend more time at home with family or friends now that there is more online entertainment available.
Speaking of online entertainment, TalkTalk claims British people are embracing what they call the “Joy of Missing Out” (JOMO), which reveals that 1 in 4 of us admit to staying home spending hours watching funny videos of animals to wind down after a long day at work.
Sadly an estimated 680,000 so-called “millennials” also admitted to having a “thing for watching pimple popping videos” (faith in humanity.. lost), while 30% of 18-34-year olds spend time stalking their partner/ex on social media.
The Report’s Top 5 Online “Guilty Pleasures”
1. Watching funny videos of animals.
2. Sending people funny memes.
3. Watching their favourite ‘trashy’ TV shows.
4. Catching up on the latest celebrity gossip.
5. Adding clothes to their shopping basket just for fun.
The report says that 2 in 5 people would rather stay in to binge-stream TV than go to the pub, while 63% of 18-34 year olds would rather stay at home and play video games than go on a night out. Make of all that what you will.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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As I’ve been given permission to make of it what I will I find it all somewhat depressing.
The part about so many staying in and playing video games rather than socialising reminded me of The Sound of Silence written by Paul Simon in 1964:
‘…People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence’
It’s the end of the world as we know it…………
Well I’m not surprised. Changing your broadband supplier may be a hassle but at least you don’t end up still paying for the one you’ve dumped years after you’ve found a replacement!
No wonder pubs are struggling.
Well I guess long formal conversation with somebody is doomed.