Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for
the UK communications industries, has published its fourth
research report into the extent of adult media literacy,
comparing media literacy within UK nations and regions. The
definition of media literacy is stated as being “the ability to
access, understand and create communications in a variety of
contexts”. A total of 3,244 respondents were interviewed for the
research across the UK. The audit focuses on the four main
digital platforms under Ofcom’s remit: television, radio,
telecommunications and wireless communications services, with
analogue TV and radio included where relevant. Ofcom found that:
- Across the UK, the average number of hours per week that
internet users are online is 9.9 hours. People in London use the
internet most (13.5 hours). Mobile phone owners in Northern
Ireland send more texts than the average for the UK (38 and 28
respectively), and those in London make more mobile phone calls
(28 compared to 20) - Take-up of platfor