Essential Report
Social Activities during Physical Isolation
Q. Are you doing any of the following to compensate for spending less time with friends and family since the start of physical isolation rules?
Gender | Age Group | ||||||
Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
I spend more time contacting people by text messaging, phone calls or online chats | 57% | 50% | 64% | 61% | 53% | 58% | |
I’ve participated in online group catch ups | 28% | 29% | 26% | 43% | 28% | 14% | |
I’ve sent gifts to friends and family | 14% | 14% | 13% | 19% | 13% | 11% | |
I’ve started online activities with friends and family (e.g. online fitness, education classes) | 21% | 22% | 20% | 38% | 20% | 8% | |
None of these | 28% | 33% | 23% | 16% | 30% | 35% | |
Base (n) | 1,068 | 537 | 531 | 343 | 340 | 385 | |
- Staying in touch with people by telephone or messaging is the most popular way to overcome issues about social isolation, being used by 57% of people. Since the physical isolation restrictions, 28% have participated in group catch-ups in lieu of physically meeting, and 21% have started online activities such as fitness sessions or online education classes.
- Women were more likely than men to be calling or texting friends and family (64% to 50%).
- 84% of those aged 18-34 have engaged in some activity to overcome the isolation. This is higher than those aged over 55 (65% have completed some activity).

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