Scottish Household Survey 2022: Key Findings

4. Internet

Internet access

The proportion of households in Scotland with internet access was at a record high of 91% in 2022 (Table 4.1), an increase on 2019 (88%). Household internet access increased with net annual household income. Home internet access for households with a net annual income of between £6,001 and £10,000 was 69% in 2022, compared with almost all households (99%) with a net annual income of over £40,000. Access differed by area of deprivation (Table 4.2): 84% of households in the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland had internet access at home compared with 96% of households in the 20% least deprived areas. Internet access also varied by tenure: 80% of those in social rented housing had internet access, compared with 94% of households who owned their home.

Internet use

The internet is used either for work or personal use by 90% of people in Scotland, a steady increase over time from 65% in 2007. Notably, there has been a significant increase in internet use amongst adults aged 60+ (from 29% to 76%) over the same period (Table 4.6). There are lower rates of internet use among older adults than among younger adults. In 2022, almost all (99%) adults aged 16-34 reported using the internet, compared to 76% of those aged 60+. Of disabled adults aged 60+, 66% reported using the internet, compared with 81% of non-disabled adults aged 60+. The percentage of adults who do not use the internet was higher for those living in the 20% most deprived areas than for those in the 20% least deprived areas in Scotland (Table 4.9). Internet use also increased with income (Table 4.8).

Where and how users access the internet

Almost all (98%) adults who use the internet access it at home, and 67% access the internet on the move using a mobile phone or tablet (Table 4.11). The proportion of internet users reporting that they access the internet using a smartphone was 92% in 2022 (Table 4.12). The proportion of internet users using a smartphone to go online was greater than the proportion who accessed the internet using a PC or laptop (74%). Younger internet users were more likely to access the internet using a smartphone than older users, with 99% of 16-34 year olds using smartphones compared with 75% of adults aged 60+. Older internet users were more likely than younger users to use a tablet to access the internet. Of those who do not use the internet, the most common reason that could convince people to go online was keeping in touch with family and friends at no extra cost, although this was reported by only 8% of this group (Table 4.18).

Online safety and security

The most common online security measures taken by adults who make use of the internet were avoiding opening emails or attachments from unknown people (75%) and avoiding giving personal information online (74%). A higher proportion of internet users who were older (Table 4.19) or were living in the 20% most deprived areas answered that they adopted none of the online security measures mentioned.