The bathroom experience has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting shifts in our lifestyle, technology and social behaviours. According to recent surveys, the activities we engage in while on bathroom toilets paint a fascinating picture of how we prioritise our time in this often-private space.
So, what exactly are Brits doing behind those loo doors? Let’s dive into the results of our survey from 2024 to discover the most shocking and surprising truths about the UK’s bathroom behaviour, and compare it to our habits from our 2017 findings on the worst bathroom habits.
- Social Media Usage on Toilets in 2024
- Dirtiest Habits We Do In Our Bathrooms
- What Bad Bathroom Habits Bother Us in 2024?
- New Bathroom Habits People Are Doing
Social Media Toilet Takeover
According to 2024 data, 37% of individuals still enjoy reading books, magazines, or newspapers while on the toilet, and it is the most popular go-to choice ahead of social media usage. In 2017, only 1 in 5 people had read a newspaper (21%) or magazine (22%), and 1 in 4 a book (26%) on the loo. This is in addition to the significant shift towards digital distractions, as 36% of respondents now find themselves scrolling through social media on the toilet.
Furthermore, 33% admit to texting or WhatsApping someone during their bathroom break—a stark contrast to 2017 when only 17% of people were updating Facebook statuses, and even less were tweeting, Instagramming, or Snapchatting. This change illustrates a more intense integration of social media into our bathroom routines.
When we explore the specific social media platforms used while on the toilet, Facebook is still the biggest go-to channel for use, with 79% spending a minute or more on this, compared to just 17% who had updated a status on the channel in 2017. This is followed by YouTube (50%) and Instagram with 49% of users checking this while using the restroom, a striking increase from just 7% who had uploaded a pic on Instagram while using the loo in 2017. Similarly, X (or Twitter, as known in 2017) usage has jumped from 8% to 39%.
The explosive rise of platforms like TikTok, which is used by 36% of people whilst on the toilet, showcases how our habits have adapted to the digital age. Interestingly, 25-34 year-olds are leading the charge with 70% using TikTok and 80% using Instagram during their toilet time. YouTube is predominantly used by 35-44 year-olds (59%), while 45-54 year-olds report the highest incidence of TikTok usage at 49%.
Newcastle emerges as the biggest Facebook users on the toilet, with an astonishing 95% admitting to this habit. In contrast, Glasgow residents lead in Instagram use (82%), while Londoners are the TikTok enthusiasts, with 49% using the app during bathroom breaks.
What We Admit To Doing In Our Bathrooms
Over a third (34%) of respondents admitted to urinating in the shower, with men being the worst offenders (40%). Moreover, 29% have gone to the toilet while someone else is bathing or grooming, which women dominate with 34% admitting they do this.
Interestingly, 18% of people admitted to neglecting regular bathroom cleaning, and 16% revealed they’ve used the toilet right after someone else without flushing. In an era where environmental consciousness is on the rise, 20% of individuals even confessed to not flushing the toilet to save water. Notably, women are more likely to not flush to save money (33%), while men are the biggest culprits for not cleaning the bathroom regularly.
Among the younger crowd, 35% of 18-24 year-olds admitted to vaping or smoking on the toilet, while 37% of 25-34 year-olds report eating and drinking during their time in the bathroom. The Manchester demographic shows 40% vaping or smoking in the toilet, with nearly 50% admitting to scrolling through social media while on the loo.
What Bothers Us About Sharing a Bathroom
37% of people from Liverpool confessed that messes left in the toilet, such as stains or unflushed waste, are their biggest pet peeve. Leaving the toilet seat up is another long-standing annoyance, with 34% of respondents admitting to being bothered by it, while 40% were upset by the presence of toilet stains.
One of the most significant concerns is not flushing the toilet — a habit becoming more common due to environmental and cost-saving measures. 42% of people from Leeds admitted to this, often driven by the desire to save money. Meanwhile, 55-65 year-olds are the most likely to skip flushing to save water, with 44% confessing this habit.
Leaving an empty toilet roll holder is another classic issue, frustrating 38% of those surveyed. However, modern frustrations have evolved as well, with 18% admitting they dislike the rise of vaping and smoking in shared bathrooms, particularly with 40% of Manchester respondents admitting to smoking or vaping on the toilet.
Reflecting on Modern Bathroom Habits
Activities like vaping (8%), smoking (10%), eating (9%), and even brushing or flossing teeth (21%) while on the toilet have become more prevalent. Interestingly, 31% of people in Belfast are likely to brush and floss their teeth, with 45-54 year-olds being the most likely group (39%).
Gender differences are also prominent: men (28%) are more likely to brush their teeth in the bath or shower, whereas women (34%) admit to being in the bathroom while someone else is bathing or grooming. Additionally, 40% of men confess to urinating in the shower, with 45-54 year-olds leading the age groups at 42%.
Statement on the Findings
James Roberts, Director of Sanctuary Bathrooms, comments on the findings: “The toilet has always been a place of sanctuary for some people to enjoy personal time, even using it as an opportunity for participating in hobbies. While smartphones have dominated our lives for a significant chunk of the last decade, the 2024 findings show a significant shift towards tech habits and a reliance on smartphone and social media usage while using the loo.
“People live such busy lives that they are now combining everything from engaging with various content mediums and WhatsApping friends on the toilet, to even conducting work and business. This is alongside other habits and hobbies that may be unhygienic or unhealthy including vaping, smoking, brushing teeth and online gambling.
“It extends further than the toilet too with other habits – that could be considered gruesome or grim to some people – being done to save time and even money from urinating in the shower, sharing the toilet space with someone else to save time, and even not flushing the loo just to save water.”
