16 Percent of Gen Z Believe Hitting a Router Improves UK Broadband

A new Censuswide survey of 2,014 UK adults with a broadband connection, which was commissioned by ISP Zen Internet to examine some common connectivity myths, has found that 16% of 16-24-year-olds (Gen Z) believe that hitting their router will improve internet connectivity, which compares with just 2% of over 55s.

The survey, which was conducted during May 2021, also found that 54% of Gen Z believe that turning off their video on conference calls can improve connectivity, while just 29% of over 55s “appear more aware that switching off video streaming is likely to be a temporary fix at best and that the poor signal is probably caused by a wider problem.”

Perhaps of more concern is that 21% of Gen Z adults still believe WiFi can “cause harmful radiation“, although at present the only known impact is a miniscule amount of heating (all forms of light / EM give off heat as they’re absorbed by the body, but you only really notice this with extremely energetic sources, such as the sun). Meanwhile, amongst the over 55s, only 5% thought WiFi could cause harmful radiation.

Summary of Additional Survey Results

➤ 27% of Gen Z accurately picked the right definition of Full Fibre as an ‘Internet service that uses fibre optic technology all the way from the exchange to the property’, compared to 42% of over 55s getting the right answer.

➤ 24% of Gen Z correctly identified Ethernet as ‘a dedicated circuit which can be provided over a mixture of technologies from customer to supplier with increased service level agreements’, which fell to just 15% of those aged 55+.

➤ There aren’t just disparities between age groups. Those in need of any technical support should look to friends and family in Scotland and Yorkshire. Both emerged top of the table when accurately describing Full Fibre (46% and 45%). Regions in the south emerged as the most knowledgeable on Ethernet, with Greater London (21%) coming out on top, ahead of the South West (20%).

Paul Stobart, CEO at Zen Internet, said: “They say wisdom comes with age and that would appear to be the case even in an area like technology, where youth would ordinarily be perceived to be at an advantage. Broadband plays an increasingly important role in our lives, so it’s vital that all of us, regardless of age and experience, can distinguish the fact from the fiction; there are still many misconceptions out there regarding broadband that could be holding consumers back from getting the most out of their connectivity. What this research study has shown me is that the broadband industry has a job on its hands to help consumers understand how broadband works, so that they can optimise connectivity in the home.”