Brits rely on their mobile phones for online banking (44%), social media (38%), and maps and directions (34%) – and the average adult reckons they could only go five hours without using their device.
A poll of 2,000 Brits found more than half (51%) use their phone daily for accessing the internet – and 71% admit they would struggle to manage their life if they could not do so.
Those polled reckon they could last just five hours and 11 minutes without having access to their phone – compared to three days without a laptop, tablet, or games consoles.
And 45% use their phone to speak to family or friends every day – with 56% saying that, without it, they would hardly communicate with anyone.
As a result, 57% agreed that digital connection is vital for their wellbeing, and 56% believe it is important for their social life – while 49% rely on accessing the internet for their job.
The research was commissioned by Tesco Mobile, which is distributing data through the Trussell Trust’s network of food banks as part of its Little Helps Databank, aiming to connect 50,000 people facing financial hardship by 2025.
Tesco Mobile have teamed up with comedian Dom Joly to highlight the importance of being online and connected.
He spent a weekend without any devices, and came up against several problems – including being unable to pay for groceries without his banking app.
He also missed his daughter's hockey game as he couldn't find the location without access to maps, and wasn't able to pay a bill without a phone or internet access.
Dom Joly said: “This experience has highlighted to me just how vital having digital connection is. I take a huge amount for granted having a mobile phone and internet access.
“In just a weekend I felt very frustrated and isolated, and didn’t expect to face such a variety of hurdles caused by my lack of data and internet.
“I can only imagine how hard it is for people who are disconnected over much longer periods, and often without the support of others.
“Poverty is an issue that a growing number of families are facing across the UK. I hope to raise awareness of people facing financial hardship and not being able to afford essentials, like connectivity.”
The research also found that, during the average day, mobile phones are used for three hours and 34 minutes, while laptops are active for just under four hours.
In the past 12 months alone, people have used their smart device to pay bills (32%), book medical appointments (24%), and order food shopping (22%).
Others have accessed benefits advice and other forms of support (12%), applied for a job (11%), and booked their child onto after-school clubs (10%).
Lack of access to devices and the internet would leave people feeling disconnected (38%), isolated (27%), and lonely (25%).
But despite seven in ten (71%) assuming most adults would have a mobile phone with sufficient data today, 35% know someone who can’t access the internet, according to the OnePoll data.
Claire Pickthall, CEO of Tesco Mobile, says: “Technology enables us more than ever to help manage our lives.
“Whether it’s connecting with loved ones, making important appointments, or managing finances, everything can be done from one connected device.
“We rely on our smartphones so much, it’s hard to imagine how people who are disconnected are able to tackle those tasks.”
