The British communications regulator Ofcom recently released its annual report on the nation’s digital habits, revealing significant differences between how men and women engage with the online world. The findings highlight disparities in screen time, social media preferences, generative AI use, and online concerns.
Across all age groups, women spend an average of 33 minutes more online daily than men. In May 2024, women clocked 4 hours and 36 minutes online daily, compared to 4 hours and 3 minutes for men. Among Gen Z users aged 18-24, this gap widens to over an hour, with women spending 6 hours and 36 minutes online daily, versus 5 hours and 28 minutes for men.
Women dominate platforms like Pinterest (79%), Snapchat (66%), Instagram (64%), TikTok (62%), and Facebook (61%). Conversely, men lead usage on platforms such as Quora (70%), Reddit (61%), LinkedIn (60%), and YouTube (56%). These preferences underline gendered approaches to online engagement, with women favoring visual and social spaces, while men gravitate toward forums and professional networks.
Women and teenage girls are notably more apprehensive about online harms, including:
- Extremism (87% of women vs. 77% of men)
- Human trafficking (86% vs. 76%)
- Hateful content (83% vs. 67%)
Teenage girls also report heightened concerns about sexual or violent content and body image issues. In contrast, men are more likely to encounter misinformation, scams, or hateful content.
Generative AI and Online News
Men are more likely to use generative AI tools (50% vs. 33%). Women are also more cautious about its risks and societal impact (64% vs. 55%). Regarding online news, while similar numbers of men and women access these services, men spend 39% more time on them.
Health and Fitness Sites
Women are more likely to visit health and fitness platforms (88% vs. 80%). Sites like Healthline, WebMD, and Fitbit attract twice as many women as men.
Upcoming Safety Measures
Starting December 2024, tech firms must implement safety measures under new laws to protect users, particularly women and children, from harmful online content.
By examining these differences, Ofcom sheds light on the evolving digital landscape and the gendered dimensions of internet usage.
Credit: This article is based on information from Ofcom’s Digital Habits Report and coverage by TechRadar.
Key Highlights:
- Women spend more time online than men, with notable differences in platform preferences.
- Men are more likely to use generative AI, while women show greater caution about its risks.
- Women express more concerns about online harms, especially extremism and body image issues.
- New online safety laws will soon prioritize protections for women and children.