Digitalization of the modern society is running rampant. The number of those dreaming of a digital detox, i.e. those willing to unplug from the Internet for a while, is also rising.
MOSCOW, February 4, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the following questions: how Russians perceive the Internet; what they think about possibly restricted access to the internet; whether they are ready to leave the Internet for a while for a digital detox.
Internet usage
The majority of Russians (81%) use the Internet; 69% of tem use it on a daily basis. The percentage of Internet users has been rising since 2011. The highest growth rate was recorded in 2012 (by 11%). The share of those who never use the Internet was at 48% at the start of the tracking polling (in 2011) and decreased to 18% by the first quarter of 2020.
Today the Internet is basically a communication means for most of Russians: 88% of respondents connect with their families and friend via the Internet; and this share has increased (by 9 p.p. since 2018). Internet users also follow regional, federal and world news online (83%), consume entertainment content (such as cinema, books, and games) (75%), use banking services (72%) or pay their bills (68%). More than half of Internet users go to the Internet for self-study or learning (63%) or use state services provided online (57%).
Internet is getting more and more popular among those who use it to buy everyday essentials (foods, detergents, etc.): the share has increased from 14% in 2018 to 24% in 2020.
Life without Internet?
The number of those who consider that the Internet shutdown will dramatically change their lives has increased by 8 p.p. over three years (from 5% in 2017 to 13% in 2020). Those who think so are mainly young Internet users aged 18–24 (34%). Simultaneously, there has been a decrease in the shares of those who think that the Internet shutdown can hardly change anything in their lives (from 31% in 2017 to 25% in 2020) or will change nothing from (36% in 2017 to 20% in 2020). Of all age groups, the Internet users aged 60 and older are more likely to stay indifferent to changes related to possible Internet shutdown: they state that such changes will have small effect or have no effect on their lives (30% (for each opinion)).
At the same time, 42% of Internet users are confident they will be capable of adapting to changes related to Internet shutdown.
Living without internet: personal experience
Over the recent year, 65% of users have experienced Internet outage; 46% faced it multiple times. Forty-seven percent of respondents voluntarily stopped using the Internet at least for a day; 18% of them did it once or several times a week; 14% did it at least once a month; the same share of respondents quitted the Internet once in six months or less often. Digital detox was favored by users aged 18–24 (60%), 25–34 (52%), and 35–44 (54%).
As to feelings that respondents had when they (un)intentionally had a restricted access to the Internet, most of them did not feel anything special (82%). Every tenth reports negative emotions; the same share of respondents say they had positive feelings such as relax or enjoyment (7%).
Vacation without Internet
Most of Russians agree that today people need to stop using the Internet for a while by restricting or voluntarily blocking their access: this stance is shared by 73% of Internet users, less often young Russians aged 18–24 (61%) and residents of million-plus cities (63%). On the contrary, every fourth respondent is confident that today people have to stay online permanently (24%).
Respondents are dived in the opinions on which place they are more likely to choose for a vacation trip – the one without the Internet or the one which provides free Internet: the shares are 43% and 42%, respectively. Those who are more likely to opt for a location without the Internet are older generation (47% of persons aged 60 and older) or those who use the Internet from time to time (49%). At the same time, younger respondents (72% of those aged 18–24) and regular Internet users (51%) are more likely to choose those destinations which provide free Internet access.
Despite the fact that three-quarters of respondents agree that it is important to stay disconnected from time to time, not everyone is ready to live without the Internet (73% vs. 43%). Generally, digital detox is mainly favored by those individuals whose daily tasks and activities are not so dependent on the Internet. Unsurprisingly, the most active and regular Internet users are less likely to unplug from the Internet.
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted February 1, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you use the Internet? If yes, how often? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||||||
| 1 quarter 2011 | 1 quarter 2012 | 1 quarter 2013 | 1 quarter 2014 | 1 quarter 2015 | 1 quarter 2016 | 1 quarter 2017 | 1 quarter 2018 | 1 quarter 2019 | 1 quarter 2020 |
Almost every day | 28 | 37 | 42 | 45 | 51 | 53 | 56 | 62 | 66 | 69 |
Several times a week | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 |
Several times a month | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Occasionally but at least once every six months | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Never | 48 | 41 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
I will read a list of activities; and you need to tell me for what purpose you use the Internet today? (closed-ended question, one answer for line, % of Internet users) | ||||
| Year | I use the Internet | I do not use the Internet | I do not do this |
Interacting with relatives, friends, acquaintances | 2018 | 79 | 15 | 5 |
Interacting with relatives, friends, acquaintances | 2020 | 88 | 9 | 3 |
Getting news about the city life, country, world | 2018 | 85 | 12 | 3 |
Getting news about the city life, country, world | 2020 | 83 | 11 | 6 |
Entertainment: cinema, books, games | 2018 | 71 | 23 | 6 |
Entertainment: cinema, books, games | 2020 | 75 | 17 | 8 |
Banking – bank transfers | 2018 | 68 | 25 | 7 |
Banking – bank transfers | 2020 | 72 | 17 | 11 |
Paying bills | 2018 | 60 | 33 | 7 |
Paying bills | 2020 | 68 | 22 | 10 |
Education, self-learning | 2018 | 67 | 25 | 8 |
Education, self-learning | 2020 | 63 | 22 | 15 |
State services — submitting documents , obtaining certificates | 2018 | 57 | 33 | 10 |
State services — submitting documents , obtaining certificates | 2020 | 57 | 29 | 14 |
Work, professional duties | 2018 | 51 | 37 | 12 |
Work, professional duties | 2020 | 49 | 32 | 19 |
Purchasing durable goods and services — domestics appliances, furniture, etc. | 2018 | 41 | 48 | 11 |
Purchasing durable goods and services — domestics appliances, furniture, etc. | 2020 | 35 | 45 | 20 |
Purchasing everyday essentials – products, household detergents, etc. | 2018 | 14 | 72 | 14 |
Purchasing everyday essentials – products, household detergents, etc. | 2020 | 24 | 55 | 21 |
If the Internet stops working tomorrow, how much will it affect your everyday life? (closed-ended question, one answer; % of Internet users) | |||
| 2017 | 2018 | 2020 |
It will completely change my everyday life; I do not know if I will be capable of performing my everyday activities without the Internet | 5 | 8 | 13 |
It will dramatically change my everyday life but I will be capable of adapting to the changes | 27 | 39 | 42 |
It will hardly have any impact on my life | 31 | 30 | 25 |
It will change nothing in my life | 36 | 22 | 20 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 0 |
If the Internet stops working tomorrow, how much will it affect your everyday life? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and older |
It will completely change my everyday life; I do not know if I will be capable of performing my everyday activities without the Internet | 13 | 34 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 3 |
It will dramatically change my everyday life but I will be capable of adapting to the changes | 42 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 40 | 37 |
It will hardly have any impact on my life | 25 | 13 | 19 | 26 | 29 | 30 |
It will change nothing in my life | 20 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 30 |
Don’t know | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Over the recent year, have you intentionally stopped using the Internet or restricted your access to the Internet for a day or a longer period, or not? If yes, how often did it happen? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||
| 2018 | 2020 |
Once or several times a week | 18 | 18 |
Once a month | 15 | 14 |
Once in six months or less often | 12 | 14 |
It has not happened over the recent year | 49 | 51 |
Don’t know | 6 | 3 |
Over the recent year, have you intentionally stopped using the Internet or restricted your access to the Internet for a day or a longer period, or not? If yes, how often did it happen? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and older |
Once or several times a week | 18 | 9 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 19 |
Once a month | 14 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 9 | 10 |
Once in six months or less often | 14 | 40 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 |
It has not happened over the recent year | 51 | 40 | 47 | 44 | 60 | 57 |
Don’t know | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Over the recent year, have you suffered/ experienced against your will an Internet outage that lasted 24 hours or more, or have such situations not happened? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||
| 2018 | 2020 |
It happened once | 15 | 19 |
It happened multiple times | 51 | 46 |
Such things have not happened over the recent year | 31 | 33 |
Don’t know | 3 | 2 |
What did you feel when you had to stay without Internet for long? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who intentionally or unintentionally stayed without Internet) | ||
| 2018 | 2020 |
Negative feelings, frustration, anxiety, etc. | 8 | 10 |
Positive feelings, enjoyment, relax, etc. | 7 | 7 |
No special feelings; usual feelings | 83 | 82 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 |
If the Internet stops working tomorrow, how much will it affect your everyday life? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and older |
Negative feelings, frustration, anxiety, etc. | 10 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 10 |
Positive feelings, enjoyment, relax, etc. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
No special feelings; usual feelings | 82 | 69 | 84 | 84 | 80 | 85 |
Don’t know | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Some people think that today people need to cut down the amount of time they spent online or restrict access to the Internet. Others believe that people today have to always stay online. Which statement are you more likely to agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||
| 2018 | 2020 |
In the modern world people need to take time off and stop using the Internet for a while or voluntarily block their access to the Internet | 77 | 73 |
In the modern world people have to always be online | 19 | 24 |
Don’t know | 4 | 3 |
Which place are you more likely to choose for your vacation trip? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of Internet users) | ||
| 2018 | 2020 |
A place where there is no Internet access in the entire territory | 47 | 43 |
A place where there is free Internet absolutely everywhere | 39 | 42 |
Don’t know | 14 | 15 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.