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Key findings:
- Nearly two-fifths of media consumers (39%) say smartphones have affected their own ability to concentrate either a great deal (9%) or a fair amount (30%).
- More than three-quarters of media consumers (76%) say smartphones have affected the general population’s ability to concentrate, including 36% who say they have done so a great deal.
- More than a quarter of media consumers (27%) say they have recently tried to change how they use their phone or digital media, with 16% reporting improved focus as a result and 11% noticing no improvement.
In the first part of our UK media consumption trends series, we explore the platforms and channels shaping Britons' media habits. In Part 2, we look at how UK adults engage with short-form and long-form video content.
In this third instalment, we examine how people think smartphones have impacted the ability to concentrate – both on a personal and societal level – and whether UK adults are taking steps to manage their digital media consumption.
Do smartphones harm society's ability to focus?
Nearly two-fifths of media consumers (39%) say smartphones have affected their own ability to concentrate, either a great deal (9%) or a fair amount (30%). Younger adults are more likely to feel their attention has been affected, with 54% of 18–24-year-olds and 56% of 25–34-year-olds saying smartphones have impacted their ability to concentrate a great deal or a fair amount. By contrast, only 22% of those aged 55+ share this view, while nearly a third (31%) say smartphones have had no impact on their concentration at all.
Perceptions shift significantly when people consider the impact on society as a whole. More than three-quarters (76%) say smartphones have affected the general population’s ability to concentrate either a great deal (36%) or a fair amount (41%). Concern spans all age groups, though younger adults are most likely to believe smartphones have had a substantial impact on society’s attention spans, with 45% of 18–24-year-olds saying smartphones have affected concentration a great deal. Even among adults aged 55+, nearly three-quarters (74%) believe smartphones have negatively affected the public’s ability to focus.
Digital detox trends: Are UK adults taking steps to manage their phone or digital media consumption in 2026?
More than a quarter of media consumers (27%) say they have recently tried to change how they use their phone or digital media because of concerns about attention or focus. Among them, 16% say their focus improved as a result, while 11% did not notice any improvement.
Younger adults are the most likely to have taken action. Half of 18–24-year-olds say they have attempted to change their digital media habits; of these, 31% report improved focus and 19% say they saw no improvement. Adults aged 25–34 also stand out, with 24% saying they have changed their media habits and noticed a difference, while 15% report no improvement.
Older adults are less likely to alter their behaviour. Nearly half of those aged 55+ (46%) say they are not concerned about their attention or focus, compared with just 10% of 18–24-year-olds. The findings suggest that while concerns about the impact of smartphones and digital media on concentration are widespread, younger generations are both more likely to feel personally affected and more likely to take steps to address it.
Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online between 19-20 May 2026, with a nationally representative sample of 2,130 adults (aged 18+ years) in the United Kingdom, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, region and social grade to be representative of all adults in the United Kingdom (18 years or older) and reflect the latest ONS population estimates.
Image: Getty Images