The FINANCIAL — According to Barclays, one in three Brits are now using shopping apps to grab a good deal – saving over £20 a month. Over a third of people have downloaded more apps every month since the start of the pandemic. The nation now spends 42 more minutes a day on devices than pre-pandemic, with 74 per cent of those who used a device for daily tasks for the first time during lockdown planning to continue.
However, some are yet to embrace getting online: one in three Brits avoided going digital due to lack of confidence, and almost half do not know how to use the apps on their phone. The Barclays Digital Eagles share their top tips on how to get to grips with managing day-to-day life on your phone, tablet or laptop, according to Barclays.
Research from the Barclays Digital Eagles reveals Brits are reaping the benefits of apps and doing things online – with convenience (60 per cent), saving money (35 per cent) and saving time (35 per cent) listed as the top reasons why people now, more than ever, keep their phones up to date with the most popular apps.
Brits who use retail apps are saving an average of £21.45 every month, with one in five downloading more shopping apps than pre-lockdown, to ensure they make the most of discounts available. What’s more, over a third (35 per cent) say using apps helps them get things done more quickly – with food shopping taking an average of 53 minutes in person, compared to only 37 minutes online.
However, despite technology playing more of a part in most people’s day-to-day lives, some Brits are missing out on the potential benefits. In fact, almost half of people (48 per cent) admit they don’t know how to use some of the apps on their devices and a quarter (25 per cent) say they only regularly use a handful of the apps they have downloaded.
Furthermore, some are still holding off doing things digitally, despite the potential benefits, due to alack of trust in technology (35 per cent) and a lack of confidence in using digital channels (36 per cent).
Ross Martin, Head of Learning at the Barclays Digital Eagles, says: “We know there are people who don’t feel as confident with technology and this means that they may be missing out on some of the potential benefits – such as cost or time savings. It’s all about personal choice, but our research showed that 44 per cent of Brits would consider using their phone or computer more if someone showed them how to.
“The Barclays Digital Eagles can help people looking to get to grips with digital, and run virtual sessions across the UK to help people build their confidence online. From how to set up apps in your smartphone, to using social media safely, the Barclays Digital Eagles can support.”
Despite concerns for some, lockdown has undoubtedly impacted the UK’s use of devices, with almost half (48 per cent) of over 55s with a smartphone now having an online shopping app; over a third of under 25s downloading at least one gaming app during lockdown; and one in five now having at least three fitness apps on their phone.
The findings also show the pandemic has changed the amount of time spent on devices, with people spending an average of 42 minutes more on their phone or computer every day, and over a third of us downloading more apps each month than pre lockdown – with social entertainment, TV, film and banking apps proving the most popular.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that 74 per cent of those who started to do daily tasks on their phone or computer for the first time during the pandemic will continue to do so, as it saves them time (59 per cent), money (36 per cent) and is more convenient (63 per cent). The top things people now choose to do digitally are reading the news, banking, and communicating with others.
Ross shares his top tips on how to get to grips with technology and make the most of digital in day to day life:
Organise your apps – it can be overwhelming when you first start to use technology for daily tasks. First things first, put some time aside to look at what apps you currently have on your phone, and delete any that you don’t think you will use. Once you’ve reviewed all your apps, have a look in your device’s app store to see if there’s any others that you’d like to try out or download. It’s worth doing this every couple of months to make sure that you’re making the most of your apps and aren’t wasting valuable memory on any that you don’t use.
Stay safe – It’s really important that you feel totally comfortable and safe when going online. We know that concerns over safety can put people off, with one in five people (21 per cent) saying they are concerned about downloading apps because of fraud. Make sure you always use strong, complex passwords for each of your online accounts, and be mindful of any scam emails, phone calls or text messages. There are plenty of resources available to help you get to grips with this – visit the Barclays Digital Wings website for some top tools and tips that will help you on your digital journey.
Keep in touch – one of the most rewarding benefits of technology is that it can keep you connected to your friends and family when you can’t always be face to face. Social media accounts can help you keep in touch with loved ones and share any news or life updates quickly and easily. Remember – when setting up set up social media accounts, always review your privacy settings to ensure you only share the information you are comfortable with. And if you’re unsure of the benefits, reach out for support – either from a friend or family member or by asking the Barclays Digital Eagles.
Hit the shops – shopping online is a really convenient way to order what you need in just a few clicks. From the weekly food shop to buying gifts, almost anything you want can be found online and delivered to your front door at a time that suits. When shopping using your phone or computer, always keep an eye out for any discount codes available and be aware of shopping on reputable sites only, visiting websites that you have verified and know you can trust.
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