Over half of all UK adults are media multi-taskers, and are using their tablet or mobile phone whilst watching TV, according to a recent report by Ofcom.
Since the same investigation into the communications market in 2012, it’s become even more commonplace to use smart phones whilst carrying out other tasks, including media-meshing. Over a quarter of UK adults regularly engage in media-meshing, which involves interacting or communicating about the TV content they are consuming through another device, for example, tweeting about a programme they are watching.
Media stacking is reportedly even more common than media meshing, which is defined by users conducting various other communicative activities whilst engaging in television. This could involve making or receiving phone calls, sending or reading emails, texting or using social networking sites.
Ofcom’s report agrees with many of our findings from our own survey taken in April this year. We found an overwhelming 91% of smart phone owners used their mobile whilst watching television, ranging anywhere from texting to playing games. Our report equally found that smart phone users are more prone to multi-tasking in terms of various social activities, with 22% of users being happy to eat whilst using their mobile.
It’s not just young people media-stacking or media-meshing either, but adults over the age of 40 as well, proving that generation has nothing to do with the level and diversity of media consumption. What this report therefore shows is that devices such as smart phones and tablets have become an integral part of our day to day life, domestically and publically.
So what do these findings mean for the mobile gaming industry? The Ofcom report claims that over half of UK adults own a smart phone, and that people are increasingly using it for entertainment rather than business. Mobile gaming is overall on the rise, and according to these recent findings, is due to soar if the multi-tasking of various types of media continues.
