Do people read blogs in 2019? - about Swedes and the internet

This year's edition of the 'Swedes and the Internet' report makes for interesting reading. Most Swedes think that digitalisation makes life easier, while some think it makes life more complicated. But what has really happened to the use of social media? And do people read blogs in 2019?

Do people read blogs in 2019?

According to the report 'Svenskarna och internet 2019', around half (49 %) of internet users say they read blogs. One in ten read blogs every day, and blog reading is most popular in the 26-45 age group.

Others who enjoy reading blogs are parents with children living at home, city dwellers and those aged 36-45. Fewer than 1 in 10 blog themselves. Blogging is particularly popular among people aged 36-45 and people with disabilities.

Swedes and the internet in 2019

The Swedes and the Internet is an annual survey of the Swedish people's internet habits, the development of internet use and the digitalisation of society. The survey is conducted every year by The Internet Foundation. Here's our quick version, for those who can't be bothered to read the full report.

1. General overview of the development of the internet

Most people in Sweden have access to the internet and access to fibre is increasing, even in rural areas. The elderly are becoming more and more digital. However, just over one million people use not internet on a daily basis, and those who do not use the internet see no benefit from it. Mobile phones are used more and computers less.

• 98 % of households have internet access
• 95 % of the population use the internet
• The tablet is most used by those aged 66-75 years old

2. Digital public services

Most people think that digital public services make things easier, but there is also a small group (especially older people) who think that digitalisation makes things more difficult. At the top of the list are the digital services of the Swedish Tax Agency, which are used by 74 % of the population.

• More than 70 % use digital public services
• 70 % uses public transport digital services
• 50 % uses healthcare e-services

3. Banking services and e-commerce

The majority of the Swedish population uses online banking, Mobile BankID and Swish. Families with children are more likely to use e-commerce apps and second-hand sites, but also consider themselves more vulnerable to fraud.

• More than 90 % use online banking
• More than 80 % use Mobile BankID.
• Almost 80 % use Swish

4. Digital privacy and participation

There are growing concerns about privacy infringements by big companies like Google and Facebook. The majority of people feel part of the digital society, but older people are more likely to feel disengaged.

• Nearly half feel monitored on the internet
• 3 out of 10 people aged 12-25 are victims of cyberbullying.
• 1 in 10 don't feel part of the digital society

5. Search sources and source criticism

Almost everyone Googles, both young and old, and most use Wikipedia. Older people trust information on the internet more than younger people do. Fewer and fewer people share others' content on social media.

• 4 out of 10 pensioners google daily
• 94 % of students use Wikipedia
• 4 out of 5 accept terms of use without reading them

6. Digital communication services

Almost everyone uses email, with older people emailing more often than younger people. Younger people chat more often and chatting is increasing. Facebook Messenger is the most used messaging or calling service. Whatsapp is increasing and Skype is decreasing.

• 97 % uses e-mail
• More than 90 % under 45 years old are chatting
• 70 % makes video calls

7. Social media

A large majority use social media, but the growth has stalled. Instagram and Snapchat have declined in growth rate and Facebook has stalled. Young people favour Snapchat and parents hang out on Facebook. Women use social media more than men.

• 83 % uses social media
• 40 % think that time spent on social media is not meaningful
• 98 % of students use social media.

8. media consumption

Podcasts and digital books are showing strong growth. Consumption of films and music online is increasing, and more people are willing to pay for these services. Netflix is growing, but YouTube has stalled in growth. Subscriptions to digital magazines are increasing slightly, but if you count paper and digital magazines together, newspaper reading is declining.

• 1 in 3 listen to audio books
• More than one in three reads an online newspaper every day
• 50 % reads blogs

9. Online games

More than half of internet users play entertainment games online and one in ten play for money online. Young men are the main gamblers. Most people prefer to play on their mobile phones.

• 3 out of 5 play entertainment games online
• Over 1 in 10 see mobile games as time well spent

How have you changed your internet use?

A colleague of mine told me that one day her daughter asked "Mom, what was your favourite Youtuber when you were little?". When you hear things like that, you are reminded of how fast the internet has evolved ...

I think we have gradually started to use more and more digital public services. However, I still use my computer more than my mobile phone, and we haven't started listening to podcasts... Do you recognise yourself in the survey figures? Have you changed your internet use in recent years?