What does your broadband use say about YOU? Map reveals Britain's gaming capital, the city obsessed with online daters and crypto trading
A new map has revealed Britain's gaming capital and the city obsessed with online dating, based on the broadband uses in different areas of the UK.
Research by broadband provider Openreach has revealed that the searching habits of Brits across the country based on a poll of 2,000 consumers.
The results show that the city where the average family spends the most overall time online is Sheffield - with a third saying they spend more than five hours online per day.
In contrast, Brighton is the city with the least screen time, with just 11 per cent saying they spent more than five hours online.
The busiest hour of the day for internet usage in the UK in 2025 is in the evening. In particular between 8-9pm, followed by 9-10pm and then 7-8pm.
The highest peak of the year so far was on January 14 at 9pm - when a major Fortnite download coincided with four live Premier League fixtures on streaming services.
The survey found that more than six in 10 people spend time online between the 'Do Not Disturb' hours of 11pm and 6am - with YouTube (19 per cent) emerging as the most common internet usage during these times, followed by internet shopping (17 per cent).
Openreach has revealed how different people across the country use the internet
London is the city most obsessed with online dating, as almost a quarter of the city using dating apps for at least three days a week.
Bristol has been named Britain's gaming capital, with a third of people surveyed saying they they relax by playing video games in their spare time.
The UK's cryptocurrency champions are in Liverpool, with one in 10 saying they regularly invest and check their online stocks.
Southampton was the city with the most online shoppers, as 65 per cent said they browsed the internet for purchases while online.
Among the cities which favour social media sites, Manchester was the Instagram capital of the country, while Sheffield topped the TikTok charts and Leeds was home to the most Facebook fans.
In Edinburgh, 71 per cent of people said their main use of the internet was sending emails.
Only a third of UK adults said they don't engage with any online activities during off-peak hours.
Manchester and London are the cities in which people are most likely to use their phones between the 'Do Not Disturb' - with 74 per cent saying they are regularly online between the hours of 11pm and 6am.
London was named the city most obsessed with online dating, with almost a quarter of the city using apps three days a week
Bristol was named the UK's gaming capital, with more than a third unwinding with video games in their spare times
The study revealed that checking e-mails was the most common online activity for UK adults, with two thirds saying it was in their 'top 5 most common online activities' outside of work.
This was followed by general browsing, which was in the top five for 59 per cent of people, using WhatsApp or other messaging apps (55 per cent), and online shopping (49 per cent).
The survey showed that 43 per cent of people feel they waste time online, and 37 per cent are concerned about the amount of time they spend 'doom-scrolling.'
A quarter of people said that faster internet speeds helped in cut down their time online - enabling them to 'speed up to slow down', with 34 per cent saying if they spent less hours using devices and connected technology at home, they'd be able to communicate better with their families.
And 33 per cent said they would feel more relaxed if they spent less time online.
Katie Milligan, Deputy CEO of Openreach, said: 'It's fascinating to see how different parts of the UK are embracing the online world and adapting to it in unique ways. At the same time, it's encouraging that many recognise the importance of taking time away from devices and digital connectivity.
'With full fibre now available to nearly 19 million homes and businesses across the UK, thanks to the dedication of Openreach engineers, we're proud to provide the nation's most reliable broadband technology. It's a game-changer, allowing people to do what they need to do - only faster and more efficiently.'
