8 Most Popular Digital Hobbies In Canada

The average Canadian spends just over 6 hours a day looking at screens on mobile devices, computers, and other devices. Although this is slightly less than the global average of 6.5 hours per person, it still means that the typical Canadian spends a quarter of their lives online. Online activities include work, as well as necessary tasks like banking, weekly shopping, and more, but online hobbies and interests have also become increasingly popular. And diverse.

1. iGaming

iGaming websites offer fans of live poker, slots, and table games like roulette to play at top Canadian online casinos. The sites offer expansive game selections, as well as generous bonuses, extensive payment methods, and a host of other benefits. Online gambling expert Viola D’Elia points out that the biggest iGaming websites offer players access to thousands of online games.

2. Online Gaming

Roulette and baccarat aren’t the only games Canadians enjoy playing online. Multiplayer titles like Fortnite and Roblox are popular with gamers of all ages. Casual games are enjoyed for their speed and convenience. Mobile gaming dominates the gaming space as the majority of people now have game-capable mobile devices in their pockets, as well as access to reliable and rapid mobile Internet. As devices and mobile Internet connections have gotten more powerful, the range and variety of games have expanded. Many players now also enjoy watching others play their favourite games through streaming services like Twitch and YouTube.

3. VR

Virtual reality is an emerging technology, and it continues to pick up pace in the gaming space thanks to devices from Meta, Oculus, and Sony. VR offers a level of immersion unrivalled in other gaming formats, and the cost of headsets is coming down while improved technologies not only improve the quality of content but also reduce factors like motion sickness, which were once common with this technology. VR is not just used for gaming, though, with the technology being used for virtual tours and for a wide range of other digital activities.

4. Streaming TV And Movie Content

Having developed the technology for two years prior, Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007. Although it wasn’t the first streaming service, it was responsible for making the service mainstream. And, with more than 250 million subscribers, it is still the most popular service of its kind today. But the likes of Amazon, Disney, Apple, HBO, and a host of other media companies have joined the fray, giving viewers more TV and movie viewing options than ever before.

5. Listening To Podcasts, Music, And Radio

It isn’t just visual content that is popular on streaming services, either. In fact, Spotify has twice as many users as Netflix, with around a third of these being paying subscribers. For relatively little monthly investment, listeners can build and access virtually unlimited audio libraries. Podcasts, audio books, and radio shows are also popular and offer online alternatives to previously analogue alternatives.  

6. Online Shopping

Some of us might consider shopping a necessity rather than a hobby, but consider that some users spend hours browsing sites and apps belonging to major manufacturers and brands, as well as services that connect individual sellers and buyers. Trying to find and snag the best deals can be a time-consuming and surprisingly enjoyable activity, and it is one that many people consider a pastime.

7. Virtual Tours

Virtual tours enable us to enjoy experiences from around the world without ever leaving our homes. Online virtual tours can be accessed through browsers, on mobile phones, and via virtual reality. Virtual tours may not be quite as enjoyable as the real thing, but they do provide a viable option when it isn’t possible to get out of the house or to determine whether a location is really worth visiting.  

8. Language Learning

Learning new skills has become considerably easier. And this is especially evident when it comes to learning new languages. Language learning apps don’t just provide lists of words; they incorporate elements of gamification and interactivity to make the learning experience more enjoyable and more effective, and their popularity has exploded. But there are online courses and other learning materials for a wide range of different topics.