SEVEN IN TEN BRITS CAN’T PUT THEIR PHONES DOWN ON HOLIDAY

·      69% of holidaymakers unable to last a single day without their mobile phones

 

·      Gen Z struggle the most to stay off phones for an hour on holiday, as social media ban debate continues

 

Most Brits find it difficult to disconnect from their mobile phones while on holiday, despite travelling abroad in an attempt to switch off from everyday stress, according to new research from InsureandGo.

Reflecting on their most recent holiday experiences, nearly seven in ten adults (69%) say they are unable to stay off their phone for a full day while away, while just 15% manage a completely phone-free holiday.

 

Younger travellers struggle the most. More than a third of under-25s (35%) say they can’t go a single hour without checking their phone on holiday, compared with a quarter of under-35s (25%). At a time when the Government is debating social media use and a potential ban for under 16s, the new InsureandGo data highlights how constant connectivity has become embedded in daily life for a generation raised on smartphones and social platforms.

 

Although for many British travellers mobile phone use is practical and helpful abroad — including checking local weather forecasts (33%) or using maps for excursions (31%) — many use their phones to remain connected to everyday issues at home. More than a quarter of respondents (28%) check online banking when abroad, 13% continue to check work emails while they are away and more than one in two people (45%) also use their phones to stay in touch with friends back home, limiting their ability to fully switch off. In addition, 18% of people regularly check their phones for sports news and football scores back in the UK.

 

For younger travellers, below the age of 25, more than half (52%) use their mobile phone to check in with friends, 36% social media feeds, 38% music news and 21% use it for online shopping. In addition, 16% use it for online banking, 9% for sports scores and 13% for work emails.

 

Commenting on the findings, Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo said: “Our new research underlines a growing contradiction at the heart of modern holidays: while travel is increasingly used as a tool to support wellbeing and recovery from everyday pressures at home, people’s digital habits abroad — particularly among younger adults — actually makes it harder to truly disconnect.

 

“The data lands amid ongoing discussion in the UK about the impact of social media on wellbeing, attention and mental health — particularly among younger users. While holidays are traditionally seen as a chance to switch off, the research suggests that for many British travellers and in particular Gen Z stepping away from digital habits remains difficult even in leisure settings. At InsureandGo, we recognise the importance people attach to wellbeing, which is why we aim to make it easy for people to get the right travel insurance as stress-free as possible, so people can go without the doubt.”

 

When on holiday abroad, approximately how long people say they can stay off their mobile phone