The latest O2 Digital Families Report has revealed that most UK families would rather cut down on food and utility bills than their broadband Internet connection. Questioned on the items they are reluctant to cut back on in the credit crunch, families chose the Internet (67%) over school uniforms (59%), family holidays (30%) and the weekly food shop (24%).

One in three parents claim access to email and the Internet on the move makes it easier to balance work and family responsibilities – only 6% said it made it harder. In addition, 60% of parents said that ‘technology such as email and mobile phones helps us communicate better as a family’.


Families are also using technology to help maintain relationships, with 51% of parents playing computer games together in a typical week and over one third will sit down and surf the Internet together. Similarly, around one in five parents are using social networks to keep in touch with immediate (19%) and extended (22%) family members.

According to the report, there is still no substitute for families spending traditional quality time together - 45% of parents believe a family meal is the best way to maintain family bonds. Families are eating together an average of 5.4 times a week.