According to a recent Statista analysis conducted in 2022, emailing, using social media, and online banking will be the three most common online activities in Canada between 2022-23.
A sizable 19% of the sample also represents “Internet Gambling,” highlighting the fast-rising popularity of iGaming in Canada. With well-known websites like VerdeCasino, gambling on the internet is more diverse and individualized for players. Thanks to the broad range of games and betting opportunities available compared to traditional casinos. Take a look at the table below that demonstrates the top internet activities that are the most popular in Canada.
| Activity | Respondents |
| Emailing | 87% |
| Communication (instant messaging, Zoom calls, emailing etc.) | 28 – 47% |
| Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin activity, YouTube video sharing etc.) | 58% |
| Online News | 52% |
| Internet Shopping | 46% |
| Online Entertaining (movies, TV shows, OTT platform viewership etc.) | 41% |
| Online Gaming (sports betting, slot machines, video gaming etc.) | 19% |
| Online Education (courses, virtual exams, classes hosted by schools and universities etc.) | 18% |
The most common online activities in Canada are examined in this article in order to highlight their impact on daily life, behaviour, and the well-being of people. A significant portion of the analysis places emphasis on the use of email and virtual meetings for business purposes, while other parts are more concerned with convenience and entertainment, which indicate a home-based work-and-recreational behaviour.
Online Shopping
The popularity of online shopping has grown manifold across the world. In Canada, it amounts to over 72% of Canadian internet users reported making an internet purchase in the 12 months prior, per a Statista survey from 2021.
The “new normal” has begun a new phase in which online purchasing statistics have not decreased despite the fact that physical stores have opened up and resumed operations.
This is true even though the social distance and lockdown restrictions have dropped. The most important categories for shopping on the web in Canada are food, groceries, clothes and accessories, and health products. Additionally, after the pandemic, Canadian consumers’ desire for services like “purchase online, pick up in store” (BOPIS) and click & collect, which were growing in popularity, has increased. According to Shopify, clients in the US and Canada were responsible for a 443% growth in click & collect orders in March 2020 and a 96% week-over-week increase in the number of businesses offering that service.
The Popularity of Online Communication and Virtual Meetings
The demographics of communication cannot be that distinct but rather integrated since one thing may be a component of another when considering the modern methods of communication and remote business processes are not only practiced in Canada but the entire digital diaspora.
As a result, the emails that were exchanged may be used in conjunction with video conferencing to streamline processes and fill in communication gaps during remote and virtual work. An important figure from Reviewlution on corporate video conferencing statistics is seen below, focusing on the actual statistics.
- 75% of Canadian workers feel that video conferencing is their company’s top priority for making remote working successfully.
- Over 72% of Canadian professionals actively participate in virtual meetings between 2022 and 2023.
- The usage of video conferencing software has increased by 49% since the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.
- About an hour a day is what 57% of Canadians under 25 spend using video conferencing tools.
In reality, platforms for video conferencing have quickly risen to the status of essential tools for many enterprises for communication and scope of work. Virtual meetings are also becoming more and more common as a way to increase productivity and decrease problems like absenteeism or communication breakdowns when a team member is on leave. The majority of Canadian organizations are embracing hybrid cultures, which lower barriers to entry and make it simple for teams to work more conscientiously.
Social Media Stats
Around 76% of Canadians use Facebook each month, and another 62% use the Facebook Messenger app, according to the 2022 research from We Are Social Canada.
According to Statista estimates, social media usage has increased significantly in Canada during the past ten years. The Canadian populace has grown incredibly dependent on social media platforms like Facebook, where over 47% of users indicate that they use it to stay in touch with friends and family. Also, over 35% indicate that they use it to stay up to date on current events.
Social media is clearly ingrained in Canadian culture, where it serves as a window to both personal and global events. Furthermore, social media is increasingly being used for online shopping and e-commerce, a trend that is anticipated to continue in 2022. Social networks are being used more and more by Canadian businesses as a marketing tool to engage with customers and increase sales.
Canada is one of the major Internet markets in the Americas, with about 37 million internet users. While engaging in online activities can have numerous advantages, maintaining a balance is crucial for leading a balanced lifestyle. When people spend too much time on the web, they may become socially isolated, which can harm their mental health and general welfare.
