It’s alarming what statistics reveal when it comes to how important the internet is to us, says research from Zen Internet and Censuswide.
We’re increasingly putting WiFi above everyday essentials. That’s right – we said basic essentials. Ready to be shocked?
For a start, more than a third of us would rather go without hot water for a week than lose internet access, with 34% saying they’d sacrifice their fridge! What’s more, 47% would go without their cooking appliances. And, even in the depths of winter, 32% would choose to be without heating before going offline.
The study of 2,000 UK adults highlights how the internet has moved beyond entertainment, to become one of the most relied-upon household services in the UK. Even traditional TV ranks below internet access. Over half of Brits (54%) say they would rather lose terrestrial TV for a week than the internet.
“This isn’t just about streaming and scrolling,” says Zen Internet’s Stephen Warburton. “The internet now underpins how we work, access money, manage our homes and stay connected to the people who matter. When people say they’d rather lose heating or hot water than go offline, it shows just how critical reliable connectivity has become. When something becomes this embedded in daily life, reliability stops being a luxury and becomes an expectation.”
Does age matter?
In a word, yes. Almost half (45%) of 18 to 24-year-olds say they would struggle to go without internet access beyond 12 hours, while only 12% think they could cope for a full week. What’s more, almost two in five Gen Z (that’s those born between 1997-2012), and Millennials (born between 1981-1996) say they would rather lose their heating in colder months for a week. That’s compared to just 24% of Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 to 1964. Similarly, 42% of Millennials say they would rather lose hot water for a week, compared to 30% of Baby Boomers.
Does stress matter?
In another word, yes. Losing internet access is now considered more stressful than sitting in traffic. Around 46% of Brits ranking 24 hours offline above being stuck in a jam (38%). Thirty-five per cent say losing access to online banking is worse. Forty-four per cent believe forgetting your phone is more stressful than losing credit cards and cash. And not having access to WhatsApp or text messages is considered more stressful than having no access to emails.
We just hope you’re reading this and aren’t sitting in a cold bath with no fridge to keep your food fresh…
