Digital Tech Ravages UK Book Collections... By Three Volumes Each

Tech Is Changing The World. This Is How.

The devastating impact digital technology is wreaking on the traditional book has been revealed in a new study.

The average adult now owns three fewer books compared to 2005.

It's true - Ofcom reports that while only 83% of adults have a book collection now compared to 93% in 2005, the average size of that collection has fallen by three whole books.

They added that older people have bigger collections (118 average) than younger people (50 books per 16-24 year olds). Though that's also to be expected probably, given they are, you know, younger.

Okay, we're being a little sarcastic there. But the report did indicate tech is changing our lives in other ways.

The study, by communications regulator Ofcom, found that six-year-olds have the same understanding of using gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets as 45-year-olds.

The research also shows:

  • The average UK adult now spends more time using media or communications (eight hours, 41 minutes a day) than they do sleeping (eight hours, 21 minutes).
  • The total amount of time spent using technology is 11 hours, seven minutes, when multi-tasking is taken into account
  • Only 3% of teens make voice calls - 94% of communication is text based
  • In contrast, a fifth (20%) of adults' communications time is spent making calls on the phone.
  • 22% of over 65s now owning a tablet compared to just 2% two years ago.
  • Six in 10 adults (61%) owning a smartphone compared to half (51%) a year earlier.
  • Almost nine in 10 (88%) of 16 to 24-year-olds have a smartphone, spending an average of three hours and 36 minutes a day using it
  • Time spent watching TV has fallen, with the average amount in 2013 being three hours and 52 minutes compared to fours hours and one minute the year before.
  • A quarter (24%) of workers believe technology is improving their work-life balance, 16% disagree and just under half (49%) reported no difference

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "Our research shows that a 'millennium generation' is shaping communications habits for the future.

"While children and teenagers are the most digitally-savvy, all age groups are benefitting from new technology.

"The convenience and simplicity of smartphones and tablets are helping us cram more activities into our daily lives."