A recent investigation conducted by Ofcom has revealed that over one-third of adults in Northern Ireland have accessed pornographic websites, positioning them ahead of their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom. The findings, outlined in the Ofcom Online Nation report for 2024, indicate that in May of the same year, around 430,000 adults in Northern Ireland engaged with various “pornographic content services” online. This statistic is striking, demonstrating a notable trend in digital behaviors among this demographic when compared to Wales, Scotland, and England, where the proportions are reportedly lower.
The report highlighted that adults in Northern Ireland, on average, spend approximately four hours and sixteen minutes online each day, predominantly using smartphones. This extensive online engagement illustrates a shift in how individuals consume media and information, with the digital landscape playing an increasingly integral role in daily life. The data confirms that Google, part of the parent company Alphabet, is the most visited website, followed closely by platforms like Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft websites. Notably, the BBC ranks as the fifth most popular site, maintaining the largest audience for any news service within Northern Ireland and across the UK.
Concerns surrounding the accessibility of pornographic content have been underscored in the Northern Ireland Executive’s online safety strategy aimed at young people. The report suggests a pressing need for increased discourse about the implications of easy access to such content, especially given that previous research indicated a heightened risk for teenagers, particularly girls, who are disproportionately exposed to requests for explicit images and harmful online behaviors.
Moreover, Ofcom’s findings also depict other facets of internet usage in Northern Ireland. Messaging applications are notably popular, with WhatsApp being utilized by over ninety percent of adults, affirming its place as a dominant platform for communication. Other favored applications include Facebook, Google Maps, YouTube, and Instagram. When it comes to gaming, the Candy Crush Saga continues to hold the title of the most popular game app, a title it has retained for consecutive years. Interestingly, Twitter, renamed X, lacks presence in the top ten apps favored by adults, although it still maintains a significant spot among social media platforms.
Ofcom also pointed to a growing trend in the use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, signifying a collective gravitation toward advanced technological solutions for various needs, from communication to entertainment. Despite the preference for Apple products, in Northern Ireland, Android devices reportedly hold a stronger foothold than their Apple counterparts. Furthermore, the insights shared indicate a troubling prevalence of exposure to harmful online content, with approximately two-thirds of respondents in Northern Ireland admitting to encountering risks such as offensive language, scams, and hateful content.
The overall picture presented reflects not only a distinctive online consumption pattern among Northern Ireland’s adult population but also highlights ongoing challenges related to online safety and the potential harms associated with unrestricted access to content that may be deemed inappropriate or damaging. The report calls for further inquiry and preventative strategies to safeguard vulnerable groups, particularly youth, from the risks that come with the digital age.
The Ofcom report sheds light on both the digital engagement trends and the juxtaposed risks faced by the online community in Northern Ireland. It advocates for a conscious effort to create a safer internet experience, particularly for the younger demographic that may be more susceptible to online dangers, thereby promoting a balanced approach to digital literacy and safety.
