A new study by 3 UK into the connectivity habits of Brits both in and out of lockdown shows that phones have brought people closer together.
The study of 2,000 people shows that the average Brit made 156 more calls, shared an extra 104 social posts and sent 364 more WhatsApp messages than in 2019. One quarter of people said they have contacted friends/family more often in 2020, with more than one third (36%) relying on their phones completely to maintain a social life during the pandemic. A total of 4.7 million phones have been given to loved ones to help them stay connected, with almost half of over 55s saying their phones had brought them closer to loved ones as they were forced to self isolate and quarantine.
The study shows that 10.9 million Brits participated in at least one virtual quiz during lockdowns and restrictions, with singles sending 88.2 million messages on dating apps each week. During the summer, when restrictions were eased, Brits placed around 9 million drinks orders at pubs/restaurants using their mobile phones.
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