The Ofcom report states that men have decreased time spent watching television while increasing consumption on YouTube (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-adults/passive-social-media-use-ai-companionship-and-online-side-hustles-uk-adults-media-and-online-lives-revealed). Data covers UK adults' self-reported media behaviors collected in 2024.

Ofcom records growing use of AI tools for companionship and notes increasing reports of social media fatigue among respondents. The survey identifies passive social media use as a distinct category showing signs of decline.

The document also tracks expansion of online side hustles among UK adults without drawing causal links between the observed media shifts and AI adoption.