Adults' media use and attitudes

The annual adults’ media use and attitudes report provides evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding, and how these change over time, among UK adults aged 16 and over. This includes a particular focus on critical thinking, or awareness, which is a core component of media literacy, enabling people to assess and evaluate their media environment, as well as those groups who tend not to participate digitally.

Adults' media use and attitudes report 2020/21

This report examines adults’ media literacy. Ofcom’s definition of media literacy is ‘the ability to use, understand and create media and communications in a variety of contexts’. The report is a reference document for industry, stakeholders and the general public.

The Communications Act 2003 places a responsibility on Ofcom to promote, and to carry out research into, media literacy. This report supports our work in this area and our wider Making Sense of Media programme.

Adults' media use and attitudes report 2020/21 (PDF, 4.7 MB)

Agweddau oedolion a’u defnydd o gyfryngau 2020/21 (PDF, 3.1 MB)

Adult's media use and attitudes report 2020/21 - interactive data

Adults' media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – chart pack (PDF, 5.3 MB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – data tables (PDF, 5.6 MB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – data tables (XLSX, 453.7 KB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – questionnaire (PDF, 457.3 KB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – technical report (PDF, 214.2 KB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – walking boots showcard (PDF, 142.9 KB)

Adults’ media use and attitudes report 2020/21 – respondent-level data (CSV, 3.9 MB)

Digital Exclusion Survey 2020/21 – data tables (XLSX, 100.1 KB)