Net addiction grows as Ireland gets ‘smarter’

Irish adults are growing increasingly addicted to the Internet with almost 20 per cent of people admitting to going online practically every waking hour of the day with the level of dependency doubling among 16- to 24-year-olds, according to a new state of the tech nation survey.

The Connected Living survey published by eir shows that the number of Irish people with a smartphone has almost doubled in the last three years while the number with access to a tablet has increased by 400 per cent over the same period.

All told, 2.377 million people or 70 per cent of the population now have a smartphone up from 39 per cent in 2012. The use of tablets is also growing fast with 49 per cent of those polled saying they have regular access to one, up from just 10 per cent in 2012.

A further 15 per cent of those who don’t have a tablet say they are likely get one by the end of the year which will take the numbers with access to such a device to more than 2 million by the end of the year.

The survey also reports that over 75 per cent of the population use the internet at least once a day, up 6 per cent in the past year while almost 20 per cent of Irish adults admit to accessing the internet practically every waking hour of the day, a number which increases to 41 per cent for 16- to 24-year-olds.

Older generations are also jumping on the technology bandwagon and are increasingly active online. About 45 per cent of those over the age of 50 are online daily, up 9 per cent from a year ago. Laptop usage among that cohort remains static at 53 per cent but smartphone usage in this cohort has jumped 6 per cent to 39 per cent; Smart TV usage amongst the older age demographic has also doubled to 14 per cent in the past year and use of iPads and other tablets has grown by a third to 32 per cent.

Managing personal emails tops the list of usage at 66 per cent, while watching YouTube comes in second at 59 per cent while half use their home internet for online banking. Watching On-Demand services, such as Netflix and LoveFilm, have seen a considerable growth in usage, up from 20 per cent a year ago to 30 per cent in the latest research.

The Connected Living survey also shows that 21 per cent of households have a television which is connected to the internet up from 14 per cent 12 months ago with 12 per cent of those who don’t yet have a Smart TV saying they are likely to get one this year.

The jury is still out on the demand for wearable technologies such as fitness tracking devices with just 20 per cent of all adults interested in buying such devices.

The Connected Living survey is a nationwide survey undertaken by eir to understand the usage and impact of technology in Irish homes.

Those under 35 years old and parents feel the need for speed and better broadband in general. Some four out of five parents of 5- to 17-year-olds said broadband was helping their children with their homework.

"The findings really highlight how, as a society, we have an insatiable desire to be connected," commented Lisa Comerford, eir's director of brand and communications.

“Whether it’s keeping on top of work emails in the evening, helping children with their homework,looking up the best recipes, or planning a night out; access to the internet and a love of devices play an increasingly central role in our lives. The trends over the past couple of years only point to one thing; demand for greater and better connectivity is only going to increase.”

Gaining access to the internet is increasingly being cited as a positive addition to peoples lifestyles with 43 per cent saying having access to food ideas and information online has given them a healthier outlook on what to eat and drink.

Those under 35 are particularly engaged when it comes to using the internet for food and a healthier diet with 63 per cent saying that this access has enhanced their knowledge of healthy foods indicating a potential rise in “Noodies” (nutrition foodies).

A nation of online doctors appears to be emerging with 25 per cent saying the internet is usually their first port of call when seeking medical advice. One in five has unnecessarily worried about their health after reading something online.

At 69 per cent, clothes are now vying with flights on 70 per cent and hotels on 66 per cent to be the top online shopping category with those in Dublin more active versus other urban and rural areas.