Media use and attitudes

Media use

In this section

Attitudes to news

We carry out regular research into people's attitudes towards, and consumption of news.

Media habits (adults)

We carry out regular research into how adults in the UK use and understand media.

Media habits (children)

We carry out regular research into how children in the UK use and understand media.

Media literacy

Our work to help improve the online skills, knowledge and understanding of UK adults and children.

Media plurality

The UK has a rich and varied news media landscape. We want to explore how the growth of online news has affected our media ecosystem.

Online habits

Our work to understand people's online habits, behaviours and attitudes.

Research, statistics and data

Supporting transparent evaluation practices

This page shares Ofcom research looking at why organisations delivering media literacy interventions are hesitant to share evaluation findings and what could be done to change this.

Helping Users Assess Content Online: Integrating Behavioural Tools through an Adaptive Randomised Controlled Trial

This experimental study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various behavioural interventions designed to help users assess the reliability, accuracy, and authenticity of online content. It employs a novel methodology known as Adaptive Randomised Control Trials to explore this area.

Transparency Notice: Behavioural Audit Research

A transparency notice alerting to cross-functional research being carried out by Ofcom's Making Sense of Media Team, and Behavioural Insights Hub, involving behavioural audits of five major online platforms. The work is focused on digital media literacy functions.

More research and data

Latest news See more news

Adults-Media-2026-web

Passive social media use, AI companionship, and online side hustles: UK adults’ media and online lives revealed

Published: 2 April 2026
ON2025-web

From apps to AI search: how the UK goes online in 2025

Published: 10 December 2025
MOSM

Consultation: Recommendations on how online platforms, broadcasters and streaming services should promote media literacy

Published: 15 September 2025