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| Net overload 'sparks digital detox for millions of Britons' | Net overload 'sparks digital detox for millions of Britons' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Internet overload has led millions of people in the UK to take a "digital detox", according to research from regulator Ofcom. | Internet overload has led millions of people in the UK to take a "digital detox", according to research from regulator Ofcom. |
| The survey found 34% of internet users have taken a period of up to a month away from the web. | The survey found 34% of internet users have taken a period of up to a month away from the web. |
| Some 59% of those surveyed considered themselves hooked on their devices, with a third saying they found it difficult to disconnect. | Some 59% of those surveyed considered themselves hooked on their devices, with a third saying they found it difficult to disconnect. |
| Half said that they spent longer online than originally intended each day. | Half said that they spent longer online than originally intended each day. |
| The study of 2,025 adults and 500 teenagers forms part of Ofcom's annual Communications Market Report, which assesses the state of the digital nation. | The study of 2,025 adults and 500 teenagers forms part of Ofcom's annual Communications Market Report, which assesses the state of the digital nation. |
| One quarter of teenagers said that they had been late for school as a result of being online, while six in 10 said that they neglected schoolwork. | One quarter of teenagers said that they had been late for school as a result of being online, while six in 10 said that they neglected schoolwork. |
| As a consequence, parents are increasingly taking devices away from children or restricting their usage. | As a consequence, parents are increasingly taking devices away from children or restricting their usage. |
| Adults too are noticing that over-reliance on technology can have social consequences. Four in 10 felt that they were regularly ignored by a friend or relative who was too engrossed in their smartphone or tablet. | Adults too are noticing that over-reliance on technology can have social consequences. Four in 10 felt that they were regularly ignored by a friend or relative who was too engrossed in their smartphone or tablet. |
| A typical adult spends an average of 25 hours online per week, with nearly half (42%) saying they go online or check apps more than 10 times a day, the research suggests. | A typical adult spends an average of 25 hours online per week, with nearly half (42%) saying they go online or check apps more than 10 times a day, the research suggests. |
| One in 10 accessed the internet more than 50 times daily, according to the study. | One in 10 accessed the internet more than 50 times daily, according to the study. |
| Reliance on the internet seems to be affecting people's personal and working lives, leading one in three (34%) to seek a period of time offline. | Reliance on the internet seems to be affecting people's personal and working lives, leading one in three (34%) to seek a period of time offline. |
| A quarter (25%) of those who said they had spent a period of time without the internet said they had done it for between half a day and a full day, while two in ten had done so for up to a week. A much smaller proportion of people had done it for longer than a week. | A quarter (25%) of those who said they had spent a period of time without the internet said they had done it for between half a day and a full day, while two in ten had done so for up to a week. A much smaller proportion of people had done it for longer than a week. |
| Holidays are seen as a good time to switch off with 16% of travellers choosing destinations with no internet access and 9% actively seeking places with no mobile signal. | Holidays are seen as a good time to switch off with 16% of travellers choosing destinations with no internet access and 9% actively seeking places with no mobile signal. |
| When asked why they were taking tech timeouts, 44% said it was to spend more time doing other things and 38% said to spend more time interacting with friends and family. | When asked why they were taking tech timeouts, 44% said it was to spend more time doing other things and 38% said to spend more time interacting with friends and family. |
| A third said that they felt more productive as a result of their detox, with a quarter saying they enjoyed life more without the constant attention of the web. | A third said that they felt more productive as a result of their detox, with a quarter saying they enjoyed life more without the constant attention of the web. |
| The research also looked at how far connectivity has spread. | The research also looked at how far connectivity has spread. |
| By the end of 2015, 9.2 million fixed broadband connections were superfast and 4G accounted for almost half of all mobile subscriptions, it found. | By the end of 2015, 9.2 million fixed broadband connections were superfast and 4G accounted for almost half of all mobile subscriptions, it found. |
| Some 71% of UK adults now own a smartphone. | Some 71% of UK adults now own a smartphone. |
| According to Andrew Przybylski, an experimental psychologist at the Oxford Internet Institute, the research reflects a growing paradox in everyday life. | According to Andrew Przybylski, an experimental psychologist at the Oxford Internet Institute, the research reflects a growing paradox in everyday life. |
| "Three in four say it brings us in closer touch, but nearly one in two think technology can get in the way," he said. | "Three in four say it brings us in closer touch, but nearly one in two think technology can get in the way," he said. |
| He added that it was important to understand that the survey was not a study of internet addiction. | He added that it was important to understand that the survey was not a study of internet addiction. |
| "That is not a recognised psychiatric disorder. This is more about everyday frustrations, not something as serious a problem as gambling or alcohol use." | "That is not a recognised psychiatric disorder. This is more about everyday frustrations, not something as serious a problem as gambling or alcohol use." |
| The study suggested that the under-25s were the most likely to unplug and unwind, and this is increasingly being reflected in social trends such as phone stacking - where groups out for dinner pile their phones in the centre of the table. | The study suggested that the under-25s were the most likely to unplug and unwind, and this is increasingly being reflected in social trends such as phone stacking - where groups out for dinner pile their phones in the centre of the table. |
| And bars, such as the Gin Tub in Sussex, are blocking mobile signals on their premises in an attempt to encourage face-to-face conversation. | And bars, such as the Gin Tub in Sussex, are blocking mobile signals on their premises in an attempt to encourage face-to-face conversation. |
| Have you ever had 'net overload' or have you ever felt addicted to your mobile? How has it affected your life and well-being? Have you ever done a digital detox? What are your tips? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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| or contact us by using the form below | or contact us by using the form below |