Science

Wednesday evening is when most Britons are on the internet, statistics show


Wednesday evening is when most Britons are on the internet, statistics show

  • Throughout the week, users are most likely to be browsing online at about 9pm
  • Office for National Statistics analysts said internet use falls off at about 4.30pm
  • The fall in traffic comes earlier on Fridays as we prepare for the weekend

When you’ve passed the mid-way point in the working week, and yet Saturday still seems so far away, using the internet could be the perfect way to unwind.

Which may explain why Wednesday evening is the busiest time for the web.

A study found that throughout the week, users are most likely to be on social media, reading websites or online shopping at about 9pm.

Throughout the week, users are most likely to be on social media, reading websites or online shopping at about 9pm (stock image)

Throughout the week, users are most likely to be on social media, reading websites or online shopping at about 9pm (stock image)

Analysts at the Office for National Statistics said internet use falls off at about 4.30pm as work eases down for the day, before picking up as millions of people get home.

The fall in traffic comes earlier on Fridays as we prepare for the weekend, and the evening peak is an hour earlier on Sundays as we get ready for the week ahead. 

The study was based on data from internet providers.

Tom Smith of the ONS said: ‘This data can be used to measure changing patterns in transport and the economy.

‘For example, now that we know internet access from businesses drops off from around 4.30pm, if we see this drop happening later in the evening this could mean something about changing business practices that could be investigated further.’

The study also said the country takes an internet holiday at Christmas. 

Analysts at the Office for National Statistics said internet use falls off at about 4.30pm as work eases down for the day, before picking up as millions of people get home (stock image)

Analysts at the Office for National Statistics said internet use falls off at about 4.30pm as work eases down for the day, before picking up as millions of people get home (stock image)

People are ‘possibly ditching the internet over Christmas for quality time with the family,’ it also said, adding that the finding that internet use reaches its most intense on Wednesday was ‘unexpected’. 

The report found that internet activity falls away an hour earlier on summer evenings than during the winter, ‘suggesting that we are leaving work earlier during the summer months to make the most of the light, pleasant evenings.’

It also noted a major increase in internet traffic in early 2018, when the ‘Beast from the East’ cold snap produced snowfall across the country.



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