Public attitudes to digital regulation: tracker survey
Published 9 January 2023
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1. Summary
Through the Plan for Digital Regulation, the UK government launched a conversation about how to set the right rules for governing digital technologies. Digital technologies have transformed our economy, society and daily lives. They are now a fundamental part of our everyday existence, providing goods and services that even a decade ago seemed unimaginable. The government wants to drive innovation and growth while also making sure we address the most serious risks associated with digital technologies.
One of the key principles we set out through the Plan for Digital Regulation was to actively promote innovation by regulating digital technologies in a way that is outcomes-focused and backed by robust evidence. We set out a commitment to improve the evidence base for digital regulation. To deliver on this commitment, we published the Plan for Digital Regulation: Outcomes Monitoring Framework in June 2022. The Framework helps to strengthen our understanding of the impact of our interventions by working to identify data sources and develop new indicators. It also helps us understand where the evidence is missing.
One area we identified as needing better information around is our understanding of public attitudes towards digital regulation. The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) conducted the first wave of the Public Attitudes in Data and AI (PADAI) Tracker Survey in December 2021. This research report is an addendum to the Tracker Survey, and is being published with a specific focus on public attitudes regarding the rules that govern digital technologies. We wanted to understand whether people feel an overall benefit from digital technologies and whether people feel we have the right rules in place.
This survey will act as a baseline for future waves to identify how the UK public experiences benefits and harms arising from their experience of using digital technologies, and helps the government understand if we have the right rules in place and if our approach to regulating digital technologies is working. With thanks to Better Statistics and the Office for Statistical Regulation for their ongoing support and advice with the methodological approach for this survey. You can find details of the survey methodology in Annex A. See full data tables for this survey.
2. Survey insights
Two survey waves (2021-2022) to understand public attitudes towards digital technologies
This survey provides an overview of how UK adults feel about digital technologies and their governance at an overall level. We have sought insights on people’s views on:
- whether digital technologies have improved people’s lives
- general levels of awareness and concern around the regulation of digital technologies
- specific benefits and risks of digital technologies, including choice between products and services online, feelings of safety and security online, and the ability to exchange information reliably
In this publication, the first wave of the survey (November/December 2021) serves as a baseline and the second wave (June/July 2022) starts a commitment to monitor and understand public attitudes towards digital technologies and how they change over time. We find that people’s attitudes towards digital technologies differ by demographic characteristics.
Please find survey questions listed in Annex B.
Key findings, 2021-2022
Across the two waves of this survey, we found the following key insights.
Most UK adults report that digital technologies have benefitted their lives.
In 2022, 58% of people believe that on balance, digital technologies have made their lives better.
Older UK adults (60% of those aged 55+) are more likely to feel this, compared to younger UK adults (54% of those aged 18-34).
Those from a higher socioeconomic grade (62% of ABC1s) are also more likely to agree with this compared to those from a lower socioeconomic grade (52% of C2DEs).
Those with a higher digital familiarity are more likely to say this (65%), compared to both those with a medium or low digital familiarity (53% and 34% respectively).
No significant changes have been seen since the previous wave in 2021 at a total level, or amongst these demographic groups.
Chart 1: The technology sector has made life better for people like them at an overall level, and by age, socio-economic grade and digital familiarity, June/July 2022 (Showing % SUM: Better)
Total
| Total | 58% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
54% |
| 35-54 | 58% |
| 55+ | 60% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
62% |
| C2DE | 52% |
|
Digital familiarity: Low digital familiarity |
34% |
| Medium digital familiarity | 53% |
| High digital familiarity | 65% |
Q28. On balance, do you think that the technology sector has made life better or worse for people like you?
BASE: All online respondents: Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 1 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
UK adults largely feel they benefit from a range of digital products.
50% of people report having lots of choice between new and innovative products online, a significant increase from the 47% of UK adults who agreed in 2021.
Younger UK adults are more likely to agree with this (54% of 18-34s; 53% of 35-54s), compared to older UK adults (45% of those aged 55+).
Those from a higher socioeconomic grade (53% of ABC1s) are also more likely to agree, compared with those from a lower socioeconomic grade (45% of C2DEs).
Chart 2: Agreement that people have lots of choice between new and innovative digital products and services that they want to use at an overall level, and by age and socio-economic grade, November/December 2021 (W1) and June/July 2022 (W2) (Showing % SUM: Agree)
| Demographic | Wave 1 | Wave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 47% | 50% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
51% | 54% |
| 35-54 | 51% | 53% |
| 55+ | 43% | 45% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
49% | 53% |
| C2DE | 46% | 45% |
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: I feel like I have lots of choice between new and innovative digital products and services (e.g., social media platforms, search engines, comparison websites) that I want to use.
BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 2 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
UK adults are slightly less confident about the quality of debate and information online.
39% of UK adults report feeling that digital technologies have a positive impact on their ability to exchange and debate ideas and access and identify trusted and factual information online, consistent with 41% of UK adults in 2021.
Younger UK adults are more likely to agree with this view (46% of those aged 18-34; 41% of those aged 34-54) compared with 32% of those aged 55+.
Those from a higher socioeconomic grade are also more likely to agree (42% of ABC1s) compared to those from a lower socioeconomic grade (35% of C2DEs).
Chart 3: Agreement that digital technologies have a positive impact on peoples’ ability to exchange and debate ideas, and to access and identify trusted and factual information online, at an overall level, and by age and socio-economic grade, November/December 2021 (W1) and June/July 2022 (W2) (Showing % SUM: Agree)
| Demographic | Wave 1 | Wave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 41% | 39% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
48% | 46% |
| 35-54 | 44% | 41% |
| 55+ | 33% | 32% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
43% | 42% |
| C2DE | 38% | 35% |
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Digital technologies have a positive impact on my ability to exchange and debate ideas, and to access and identify trusted and factual information online.
BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 3 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
A large proportion of UK adults report feeling vulnerable to online harms.
45% of UK adults disagree that they feel safe and secure online from harms like cyber-attacks, fraud and scams, a significant rise from 38% in 2021. This increase in disagreement that people feel safe from online harms is seen across all age groups , and socioeconomic groups (see percentages in Chart 4).
Older adults are more likely to disagree that they feel safe from online harms
56% of those aged 55+ disagreed that they felt safe from online harms, compared to younger UK adults (37% of 18-34s; 40% of 35-54s). Those from a higher socioeconomic grade are also more likely to disagree with feeling safe from online harms (47% of ABC1s) compared to those from a lower socioeconomic grade (43% of C2DEs).
Chart 4: Disagreement that people feel safe and secure online from harms at an overall level, and by age and socio-economic grade, November/December 2021 (W1) and June/July 2022 (W2) (Showing % SUM: Disagree)
| Demographic | Wave 1 | Wave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 38% | 45% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
29% | 37% |
| 35-54 | 33% | 40% |
| 55+ | 49% | 56% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
40% | 47% |
| C2DE | 36% | 43% |
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: I feel safe and secure online from harms like cyber-attacks, fraud, and scams.
BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 4 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
There has been a slight drop in confidence in ability to raise concerns.
UK adults are less likely to agree that if they were unhappy with the way digital technology was being used, they would know how to raise their concerns, compared to the previous wave (29% in 2021 to 26% in 2022). Those aged 18-34 and 35-54 are less likely to agree, compared with the previous wave (see percentages in Chart 6).
There has also been a drop in confidence amongst those in socioeconomic group ABC1 (30% in 2021 to 26% in 2022).
Younger adults express higher agreement about knowing how to raise concerns.
Those aged 18-34 are more likely to agree that they would know how to raise their concerns (35%), compared to those aged 35-54 (28%), and both of these groups are more likely to agree than those aged 55+ (19%).
Chart 5: Agreement that if people were unhappy with the way digital technology was being used, they would know how to raise their concerns at an overall level, and by age and socio-economic grade, November/December 2021 (W1) and June/July 2022 (W2) (Showing % SUM: Agree)
| Demographic | Wave 1 | Wave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 29% | 26% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
40% | 35% |
| 35-54 | 31% | 28% |
| 55+ | 19% | 19% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
30% | 26% |
| C2DE | 27% | 26% |
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: If I was unhappy with the way digital technology was being used, I would know how to raise my concerns.
BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 5 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
Younger adults are more likely to feel better protected.
Those aged 18-34 are more likely to agree that the sector is regulated in a way that protects consumer interests (36%), compared to 35-54s (31%), and both of these groups are more likely to agree compared to 55+ (16%).
But UK consumers believe there is more to be done.
When we asked whether, overall, consumers felt that the technology sector is regulated in a way that protects consumer interests, only 27% of respondents agreed. This is a drop in agreement from 31% in 2021.
This drop in agreement is seen amongst 18-34s (43% in 2021 to 36% in 2022), and 55+ (19% in 2021 to 16% in 2022). A drop is also seen across socioeconomic grades (ABC1s: 30% in 2021 to 26% in 2022; C2DEs: 32% in 2021 to 27% in 2022).
Chart 6: Agreement that the digital technology sector is regulated enough to protect their interests at an overall level, and by age and socio-economic grade, November/December 2021 (W1) and June/July 2022 (W2) (Showing % SUM: Agree)
| Demographic | Wave 1 | Wave 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 31% | 27% |
|
Age: 18-34 |
43% | 36% |
| 35-54 | 34% | 31% |
| 55+ | 19% | 16% |
|
Socio-economic grade: ABC1 |
30% | 26% |
| C2DE | 32% | 27% |
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Overall, I think that the digital technology sector is regulated enough to protect my interests.
BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320. See endnote 6 for a breakdown of numbers of respondents per sub-group.
3. Key policy implications
-
This research shows that consumers generally feel they have benefited from digital technologies, but there are important concerns. Our regulatory approach needs to support public confidence and trust. If people know there are rules in place, they may be more likely to feel confident about digital technology deployment and use. As we seek to drive prosperity through our regulation of digital technologies, we need to regularly collect evidence to understand what is working well.
-
There is more to be done. Our regulatory approach is seeking to minimise harms to the economy, security and society. While many respondents reported benefits in each of these areas, the findings also show that there is more to be done to improve people’s perception of choice, safety and their ability to exchange ideas easily and freely.
-
This data has shown that the reported benefits of technology have not been distributed evenly across demographic groups. We see significant differences in reported outcomes between age groups, socio-economic grades, and ethnic groups. For example, while older people are more positive about the benefits of technology on their lives, they also appear to be more worried about its impact. We will need to develop our digital regulatory interventions with a view toward the equitable distribution of benefits.
Annex A: Survey methodology
The PADAI Tracker Survey monitors public attitudes towards data, AI, and digital innovation over time, with fieldwork running at six-monthly intervals. This report summarises the second wave (Wave 2) of research and makes comparisons with the first wave (Wave 1).
For Wave 1, Savanta ComRes completed 4250 online interviews (CAWI), in a survey that ran amongst the general adult population (18+) from 29th November 2021 to 20th December 2021.
For Wave 2, Savanta ComRes completed a total of 4320 online interviews across a demographically representative sample of UK adults. This survey ran from 27th June 2022 to 18th July 2022.
1. Sampling and weighting
1.1 Representative online (CAWI) sample
Quotas have been applied to the online sample to ensure that it is representative of the UK
adult population, based on age, gender, socio-economic grade, ethnicity, and region. In addition, interlocked quotas on age and ethnicity, as well as age and socio-economic grade were used during fieldwork to monitor the spread of age across these two categories and ensure a balanced final sample. The online sample was provided by Cint. All contact data provided is EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant.
The online sample was weighted based on official statistics concerning age, gender, ethnicity, region and socio-economic group in the UK to correct any imbalances between the survey sample and the population to ensure it is nationally representative. Random Iterative Method (RIM) weighting was used for this study, such that the final weighted sample matches the actual population profile.
The most up to date ONS UK population estimates have been used for both the fieldwork quotas and weighting scheme to ensure a nationally representative sample, using 2020 mid- year estimates for age, gender, region, and the 2011 Census data for Socio-economic Groups (SEG) and ethnicity.
The online sample weighting used in Wave 2 is the same as Wave 1. Comparisons can therefore be drawn across both waves.
1.2 Demographic Profile of the Online (CAWI) sample
The demographic profile of the online sample for each wave (Nov/Dec 2021 and Jun/Jul 2022), before and after the weights have been applied, are provided in the table below.
| Nov/Dec 2021 Online (CAWI) sample | Jun/Jul 2022 Online (CAWI) sample | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unweighted | Weighted | Unweighted | Weighted | |||||
| Sample Size | Total Sample (%) | Sample Size | Total Sample (%) | Sample Size | Total Sample (%) | Sample Size | Total Sample (%) | |
| Gender | ||||||||
| Female | 2226 | 52% | 2158 | 51% | 2236 | 52% | 2194 | 51% |
| Male | 1998 | 47% | 2066 | 49% | 2058 | 48% | 2100 | 49% |
| Age | ||||||||
| NET: 18-34 | 1109 | 26% | 1179 | 28% | 1139 | 26% | 1193 | 28% |
| NET: 35-54 | 1438 | 34% | 1398 | 33% | 1459 | 34% | 1422 | 33% |
| NET: 55+ | 1703 | 40% | 1673 | 39% | 1722 | 40% | 1704 | 39% |
| Social Grade | ||||||||
| ABC1 | 2440 | 57% | 2351 | 55% | 2494 | 58% | 2392 | 55% |
| C2DE | 1810 | 43% | 1899 | 45% | 1826 | 42% | 1928 | 45% |
| Region | ||||||||
| Northern Ireland | 100 | 2% | 116 | 3% | 107 | 2% | 119 | 3% |
| Scotland | 382 | 9% | 356 | 8% | 389 | 9% | 362 | 8% |
| North-West | 432 | 10% | 466 | 11% | 454 | 11% | 472 | 11% |
| North-East | 193 | 5% | 171 | 4% | 179 | 4% | 174 | 4% |
| Yorkshire & Humberside | 351 | 8% | 350 | 8% | 358 | 8% | 356 | 8% |
| Wales | 218 | 5% | 205 | 5% | 220 | 5% | 207 | 5% |
| West Midlands | 364 | 9% | 372 | 9% | 377 | 9% | 379 | 9% |
| East Midlands | 328 | 8% | 312 | 7% | 326 | 8% | 318 | 7% |
| South-West | 346 | 8% | 366 | 9% | 372 | 9% | 371 | 9% |
| South-East | 621 | 15% | 582 | 14% | 601 | 14% | 590 | 14% |
| Eastern | 408 | 10% | 392 | 9% | 398 | 9% | 402 | 9% |
| London | 507 | 12% | 561 | 13% | 539 | 12 | 569 | 13% |
| NET England | 3550 | 84% | 3572 | 84% | 3604 | 83% | 3632 | 84% |
| Ethnicity | ||||||||
| NET: White | 3637 | 86% | 3765 | 89% | 3651 | 85% | 3834 | 89% |
| NET: Mixed | 125 | 3% | 58 | 1% | 150 | 3% | 58 | 1% |
| NET: Asian | 271 | 6% | 273 | 6% | 276 | 6% | 274 | 6% |
| NET: Black | 132 | 3% | 115 | 3% | 157 | 4% | 116 | 3% |
| NET: Other | 85 | 2% | 39 | 1% | 86 | 2% | 39 | 3% |
| NET: BAME | 613 | 14% | 485 | 11% | 583 | 13% | 448 | 10% |
2. Analysis
2.1 Statistical significance and interpretation
When interpreting the figures in this report, please note that only statistically significant differences (at a 95% confidence level) are reported and that the effect of weighting is taken into account when significance tests are conducted. Significant differences are highlighted in the analytical report and are relative to other directly relevant subgroups (e.g. those identifying as men vs those identifying as women). Where the term ‘significant’ is used throughout this report, this refers to statistical significance.
2.2. Digital familiarity score
A proxy score for digital familiarity has been used to analyse the online survey data, using a score based on self-reported levels of confidence in using technology, and frequency of use of four digital services. The scores have been assigned as follows:
- At Q4b respondents are asked how often, if at all, they use four digital services: online shopping, search engines, social media and online banking. They are then given a score of 3 for each digital service used ‘a lot’, score of 1.5 for used ‘occasionally’, 0 for ‘don’t do at all’, with a maximum of 12 points on this question
- At Q5 respondents are asked how confident they feel using computers, smartphones, or other electronic devices to do the things they need to do online. Respondents are given points for every answer as follows; ‘very confident’ = 12 points, ‘somewhat confident’ = 8, ‘not confident’ = 4, ‘not at all confident’ = 0, any other response = 0.
- The total maximum score one can have from Q4b and Q5 combined is 24.
The distribution of scores was then analysed using Jenks method to identify logical divisions between the groups:
- Low digital familiarity: 0-12.5 (394 respondents)
- Medium digital familiarity: 13-19 (1566 respondents)
- High digital familiarity: 19.5-24 (2360 respondents).
Annex B: Survey questions
Q26. How much, if anything at all, do you know about how the digital technology sector is regulated in the UK?
Scale:
- A great amount
- A fair amount
- Just a little
- Nothing at all
- Don’t know
Q27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:
Statements:
- Overall, I think that the digital technology sector is regulated enough to protect my interests
- If I was unhappy with the way digital technology was being used, I would know how to raise my concerns
- I feel like I have lots of choice between new and innovative digital products and services (e.g., social media platforms, search engines, comparison websites) that I want to use
- I feel safe and secure online from harms like cyber-attacks, fraud, and scams
- Digital technologies have a positive impact on my ability to exchange and debate ideas, and to access and identify trusted and factual information online
Scale:
- Strongly agree
- Somewhat agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Somewhat disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
Q28. On balance, do you think that the technology sector has made life better or worse for people like you?
Scale:
- Made life a lot better
- Made life a little better
- Made life neither better nor worse
- Made life a little worse
- Made life a lot worse
- Don’t know
Endnotes
1. BASE: All online respondents: Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (1459) and 55+ (1722). All online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades; All online respondents with low digital familiarity (n=394); medium digital familiarity (n=1566); high digital familiarity (n=2360)
2. BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; All Wave 1 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1109), 35-54 (n=1438), 55+ (n=1702); All Wave 1 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2440) and C2DE (n=1810) socio-economic grades. All online respondents Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All Wave 2 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (n=1459), 55+ (n=1722); All Wave 2 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades.
3. BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; All Wave 1 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1109), 35-54 (n=1438), 55+ (n=1702); All Wave 1 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2440) and C2DE (n=1810) socio-economic grades. All online respondents Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All Wave 2 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (n=1459), 55+ (n=1722); All Wave 2 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades.
4. BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; All Wave 1 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1109), 35-54 (n=1438), 55+ (n=1702); All Wave 1 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2440) and C2DE (n=1810) socio-economic grades. All online respondents Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All Wave 2 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (n=1459), 55+ (n=1722); All Wave 2 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades.
5. BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; All Wave 1 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1109), 35-54 (n=1438), 55+ (n=1702); All Wave 1 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2440) and C2DE (n=1810) socio-economic grades. All online respondents Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All Wave 2 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (n=1459), 55+ (n=1722); All Wave 2 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades.
6. BASE: All online respondents Nov/Dec ‘21 (Wave 1) n=4250; All Wave 1 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1109), 35-54 (n=1438), 55+ (n=1702); All Wave 1 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2440) and C2DE (n=1810) socio-economic grades. All online respondents Jun/Jul ’22 (Wave 2) n=4320; All Wave 2 online respondents aged 18-34 (n=1139), 35-54 (n=1459), 55+ (n=1722); All Wave 2 online respondents from ABC1 (n=2494) and C2DE (n=1826) socio-economic grades.