Suncream, a bucket and spade, and maybe a book were always thought to be the most important items to take when you head to the beach.
But it seems that, in a depressing example of what the modern world has become, beachgoers no longer want to get away from it all when they are enjoying a spot of sea and sand.
Some 35 per cent of people said their smartphone was the most essential item when they went to the beach, a survey found.
It rates ahead of a book or a swimming costume, which only half as many people said was their most important for a trip to the seaside.
Some 35 per cent of people said their smartphone was the most essential item when they went to the beach, a survey found
Almost one in five of us – 18 per cent – said they spent at least two hours surfing the web on their smartphones during a day at the beach.
Almost two in five – 38 per cent – said they spent at least an hour on their phone, even when the natural wonders of the coast are laid out in front of them.
A third of people in the O2 survey said they used this time to download music, podcasts, and e-books.
A quarter said they were busy posting photos and checking their friends’ profiles on social media.
An unfortunate 9 per cent said they had no choice because they were emailing or writing reports for work.
But 7 per cent said they were giving their trip a boost by booking last-minute hotels and activities for later in the stay. In June a survey suggested that access to wi-fi was a bigger factor than cost for young people when choosing a holiday.
Four in ten said not having wireless internet was a ‘deal breaker’.
In contrast, 38 per cent of those aged 16 to 24 said the price of their holiday was most important, the Aviva study found.
Almost two in five – 38 per cent – said they spent at least an hour on their phone, even when the natural wonders of the coast are laid out in front of them