Younger Brits spend the equivalent of a full working week on their phones, but not always for socialising or making calls. Research involving 2,000 adults revealed they juggle numerous duties daily for loved ones via their phones, including family coordination (22%), social arrangements (17%) and serving as an unofficial counsellor (14%).
Everyday 'life admin' adds up
These unofficial roles consume an average of one hour and 50 minutes weekly, adding up to just over 95 hours across the year - the equivalent to nearly four days. However, most aren't bothered, claiming the duties make them feel useful (38%), trusted (29%) and needed (26%).
The study also showed Gen Z spends an average of more than 36 hours weekly overall on their mobile - yet phone calls rank only seventh amongst the most frequent activities they use them for.
What Gen Z actually does on their phones
Social media platforms (67%), WhatsApp (64%) and listening to music and podcasts (59%) were the primary ways Gen Z utilise their devices. Viewing videos or streaming material (59%), online banking (58%) and capturing photos or videos (58%) also placed higher than using their phone to ring someone (56%).
For those aged 65 and above, making and receiving calls remain the most frequent uses for a mobile (78%), alongside sending text messages (72%).
Tesco Mobile's 'Phoney Fines'
To celebrate the value of these everyday interactions, Tesco Mobile enlisted TV personality and presenter Vogue Williams as its first-ever 'Data Warden', taking to the streets of London to reward unsuspecting Brits caught using their phones to stay in touch. Rather than receiving a penalty, Vogue surprised those using their phone, either calling friends, scrolling, sending voice notes or messaging loved ones with 'Phoney Fines' – a fake fine designed to reward people. Each 'Phoney Fine' revealed a surprise gift card, celebrating everyday connections with Tesco Mobile Pay as you go Essentials.
Vogue Williams said: "We're always being told we spend too much time on our phones, and I'm definitely guilty of being glued to mine. But half the time we're checking in on friends, making someone laugh or helping sort the latest drama."
She added: "I love that Tesco Mobile is celebrating those everyday moments and giving something back to people for staying connected."
Phones and relationships
The research further revealed that 76% of those surveyed believe the everyday exchanges they have via their handsets play a vital role in maintaining strong relationships. Notably, 42% have had their spirits lifted by something received on their phone, whether it was a hilarious photo (62%), a heartfelt message (58%) or good news from a friend (56%). Meanwhile, 60% feel closer to somebody when they regularly exchange photos or videos.
On average, Brits take one hour and 17 minutes to respond to a message, according to the OnePoll research. However, people appear split on the etiquette of messaging, with more than a quarter (27%) feeling guilty about responding to a text immediately, while nearly as many (24%) admitted to taking hours or even days to reply. While Gen Z considers a video call the ideal way to feel close to someone, those aged 65 and above prefer a good old-fashioned phone call to stay in touch.
Laura Joseph, chief customer officer at Tesco Mobile, said: "Our phones play an important role in helping us stay connected, and it's often the small interactions that matter most."
The top 10 ways Gen Z use their phones are: browsing social media (67%), messaging on WhatsApp (64%), listening to music or podcasts (59%), watching videos and streaming content (59%), online banking (58%), taking photos or videos (58%), making and receiving phone calls (56%), sending text messages (56%), sending messages on social media apps (55%), and reading or sending emails (53%).
