Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes

Fieldwork took place 16-17 May, asking people about their habits and attitudes in the previous seven days. Comparisons are with week one of the research, when fieldwork took place on 27-29 March, just after the Prime Minister had addressed the nation and announced lockdown measures.

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

• Nine in ten respondents (92%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But less than one in ten (8%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
• A third of respondents (33%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (43%). Female respondents (35%) are more likely than male respondents (30%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
• Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (88% in week eight vs. 93% in week one) and the most important source of news and information to users (65% in week eight vs. 71% in week one). BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (78% in week eight, 82% in week one) and most important sources of information (51% in week eight, 52% in week one).
• Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (37% in week eight vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (9% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (15% in week eight vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (21% vs. 34%). Just over a fifth (21%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, compared to 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

• In week eight, 43% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is slightly lower than results in week one (46%). Just 4% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
• The most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 50% in week three to 35% in week eight.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

• More than a quarter (26%) of respondents agree with the statement: ‘I am confused about what I should be doing in response to Coronavirus’. This is an increase from 16% in week seven and 17% in week one. 37% of 25-34s agree with the statement compared to only 20% of over 65s.
• The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. More than nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (93% in week eight vs. 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (88% in week eight vs. 90% in week one), local health services (88% vs. 92%), the WHO (84% vs. 94%) and the government (79% vs. 84%).
• Four in ten respondents (40%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week one (40%). Over four in ten female respondents (44%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 36% of male respondents. 46% of 16-34s say that they find it hard to know what is true or false, compared to 33% of over 65s.
• Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (90% in week eight vs. 96% in week one), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (95% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (97% vs. 98%).
• Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, compared to 17% in week one. Three in ten male respondents (30%) agree with this statement, compared to 19% of female respondents. Only 19% of over 65s agree with the statement whereas a third (33%) of 24-34s agree with the statement.
• Finally, most respondents (84%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 86% in week one). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (88%).

Fieldwork took place from 1-3 May, asking people about their habits and attitudes of the previous seven days.

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

• Nine in ten respondents (94%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But less than one in ten (8%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
• A third of respondents (33%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 18-24 and 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (44% of both groups). Female respondents (37%) are more likely than male respondents (29%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
• Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (89% in week six vs. 93% in week one,) and the most important source of news and information to users (64% in week six vs. 71% in week one). BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (77% in week six, 82% in week one,) and most important sources of information (50% in week six, 52% in week one).
• Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (38% in week six vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (9% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (15% in week six vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (21% vs. 34%). A fifth (20%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, compared 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

• In week six, 47% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is slightly lower than results in week five (50%). Just 4% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
• As in weeks four and five, the most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 51% in week four to 45% in week six. The number of adults who have not come across any false or misleading information (from a select list) has increased to 40% in week six vs. 37% in week five.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

• The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (92% in week six vs. 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (91% in week six vs. 90% in week one), local health services (84% vs. 92%), the WHO (81% vs. 94%) and the government (78% vs. 84%).
• More than a third of respondents (38%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week one (40%). Over four in ten female respondents (41%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 34% of male respondents. 44% of 16-34s say that they find it hard to know what is true or false, compared to 33% of over 65s.
• Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (91% in week six vs. 96% in week one), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (97% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (98% vs. 98%).
• A fifth of respondents (20%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, 17% in week one. Nearly a quarter of male respondents (24%) agree with this statement, compared to 15% of female respondents. Only 14% of over 65s agree with the statement whereas a quarter (25%) of both 24-34s and 35-44s agree.
• Finally, most respondents (83%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 86% in week one). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (90%).

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

• Nine in ten respondents (93%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But just one in ten (10%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
• More than a third of respondents (34%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 18-24 and 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (43% of both groups). Female respondents (38%) are more likely than male respondents (30%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
• Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (86% in week five, 93% in week one,) and the most important source of news and information to users (66% in week five, 71% in week one). Within the traditional media sources, BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (74% in week five, 82% in week one,) and most important sources of information (49% in week five, 52% in week one,).
• Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (34% in week five vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (7% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (14% in week five vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (17% vs. 34%). A quarter (25%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, an increase from 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

• In week five, 50% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is higher than results in week four (44%) but in line with those from week three (50%). Just 3% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
• As in weeks three and four, the most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 51% in week four to 47% in week five. In week five, 9% of respondents said they had seen ‘other’ pieces of misinformation outside of those on our select list which related to ‘injecting disinfectant’ and ‘exposure to UV light’.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

• The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (91% in week five, 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (87% in week five vs. 90% in week one), local health services (84% vs. 91%), the WHO (81% vs. 94%) and the government (78% vs. 89%).
• More than a third of respondents (36%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week four (36%). Nearly four in ten female respondents (39%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 32% of male respondents.
• Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (91% in week five vs. 92% in week four), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (96% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (97% vs. 98%).
• A fifth of respondents (20%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, in line with results from week four (20%). Nearly a quarter of male respondents (24%) agree with this statement, compared to 17% of female respondents.
• Finally, most respondents (84%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 83% in week four). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (92%).

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

• Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, print media etc.) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (93% in week one, 89% in week four) and the most important source of news and information to users (71% in both weeks one and four). Within the traditional media sources, BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used by some margin. Three quarters (76%) use the BBC as a source of news/information, although this is a decrease on week one (82%). BBC services also remain the most important source of information (52% in week one, 49% in week four).
• Almost all respondents are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day, but this has decreased slightly (99% in week one, 96% in week four). It appears that people are not accessing news and information as frequently as in the first week of lockdown. In week one, a quarter of respondents (24%) said they were accessing news about Covid-19 twenty or more times a day, but this decreased to 17% in week two and 14% in week three. This has now decreased further to 12%.
• Furthermore, three in ten respondents (30%) now say that they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’, up from 22% in week one and 27% in weeks two and three. Those aged 18-24 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (42%).
• Compared to week one, respondents are now more likely to say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 in the past week (11% in week one vs. 18% in week four).

Misinformation related to Covid-19

• During the fourth week of lockdown, 44% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19. This is lower than 50% in week three, but roughly in line with results from week two (45%) and week one (46%).
• There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents saying they have done something after coming across false or misleading news/information about Covid-19 (45% in week one, 41% in week four).
• As in week three, the most common piece of misinformation that people have come across in week four (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’ (50% in week three, 51% in week four).

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

• The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (93% in week four, 95% in week one). Trust in some official sources has decreased between weeks one and four, but a clear majority of respondents using these sources continue to trust the information provided by the WHO (87% in week four vs. 94% in week one), local health services (81% vs. 91%), the government (80% vs. 89%) and official scientists (78% vs. 90%).
• 36% of respondents say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, an increase from 32% in week three, but still lower than 40% in week one. Furthermore, 16% say they are ‘confused about what I should be doing in response to Coronavirus’, an increase from 12% in week three and in line with 17% in week one.
• Most respondents (83%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 84% in week three). Nearly all respondents continue to say they are closely following official guidance about regular hand washing (92% vs. 94% in week three), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (97% vs. 97% in week three) and practising social distancing (98% vs. 98% in week three).

• Almost all of the UK online population continue to access news and information about Covid-19 at least once a day.
• BBC services are still the most used source for news and information on Covid-19.
• One in five respondents say they are not sharing information about Covid-19 – an increase since week one.
• Half of all respondents say they have come across false or misleading information.
• 50% of respondents have seen theories linking Covid-19 with 5G.
• Virtually all respondents continue to say they are following official advice on the coronavirus.
• Official sources, such as the NHS and the WHO, so far tend to be the most trusted.
• The proportion of people 'finding it hard to know what's true and what's false about Covid-19' has decreased.
• An increasing number of people agree they are 'trying to avoid news about coronavirus'.
• Respondents almost universally agree that the crisis has shown positive sides to society.

• Almost all of the UK online population are accessing news and information about Covid-19 at least once a day.
• BBC services are the most used source for news and information by some margin.
• 36% of respondents named BBC TV as their most important source for news and information.
• 46% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information.
• 55% of people that came across false or misleading information did not take any action.
• Virtually all respondents say they are following official advice on the coronavirus.
• Official sources, such as the NHS and the WHO, tend to be the most trusted.
• 40% of respondents agree that they are 'finding it hard to know what's true and what's false about Covid-19'.
• One in five people agree they are 'trying to avoid news about the coronavirus'.
• 86% of respondents agree that the crisis has shown positive sides to society.

Week eight

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week eight data tables (XLSX, 434.8 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week eight data (CSV, 3.2 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week eight (PDF, 188.8 KB)

Week seven

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week seven data tables (XLSX, 438.4 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week seven data (CSV, 3.2 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week seven (PDF, 186.6 KB)

Week six

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week six data tables (XLSX, 434.0 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week six data (CSV, 3.3 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week six (PDF, 159.6 KB)

Week five

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week five data tables (XLSX, 426.4 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week five data (CSV, 3.1 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – weeks one to four rolled data tables (with ethnicity cross-breaks) (XLSX, 573.4 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week five (PDF, 183.8 KB)

Week four

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week four data tables (XLSX, 413.5 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week four data (CSV, 2.9 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – weeks one to four rolled data tables (with nations cross-breaks) (XLSX, 774.8 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – weeks one to four rolled data (CSV, 11.6 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week four (PDF, 265.2 KB)

Week three

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week three data tables (XLSX, 401.5 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week three data (CSV, 2.9 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week three (PDF, 222.7 KB)

Week two

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week two data tables (XLSX, 401.0 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week two data (CSV, 2.9 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week two (PDF, 263.7 KB)

Week one

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week one data tables (XLSX, 386.1 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – week one data (CSV, 2.9 MB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – questionnaire for week one (PDF, 181.1 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – methodology (PDF, 146.1 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – BARB charts (May 2020) (PDF, 193.5 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – ComScore charts (April 2020) (PDF, 189.0 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – BARB charts (April 2020) (PDF, 191.6 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – BARB charts (March 2020) (PDF, 287.2 KB)

We have conducted analysis looking at the proportion of UK adults who are digitally excluded, including those who do not use the internet or have access to the internet at home, or have access to any connected devices. This analysis looks at the likelihood of digital exclusion by a number of different characteristics including; age, living alone, having a condition that limits or impairs their use of communications services, being financially vulnerable, and having more than one of these characteristics. We also provide population estimates based on the analysis, which are provided as a range, with a lower and upper bound.

This analysis was conducted using Ofcom’s disability tracker 2020. This survey tracks the access and use of communications devices and services among non-disabled and disabled consumers, and monitoring disabled consumers’ limitations and preventions of use caused by their disability.

Disability tracker 2020: digital exclusion analysis (XLSX, 16.9 KB)

Disability tracker 2020: digital exclusion analysis – population estimates (XLSX, 19.5 KB)