'Digital Generation' risks losing memories

Few back-up the data stored on their portable devices, risking losing it forever

One in five of us have mislaid a portable device containing phone numbers, contact details or images. That's according to a survey by YouGov, which claims that the 'digital generation' is in danger of losing valuable images and data forever.

Of the 2,035 British adults questioned, 40 per cent admitted to not backing up the photos stored on their digital camera or mobile phone. And while 58 per cent of those who own a portable device said they store up to 500 photos on it, only a handful - 6 per cent - were found to be worried about losing the data.

What's your number again?

That's despite nearly two thirds of those who lost phones saying they had to track down the lost contact details from scratch. Surprisingly, only 44 per cent said this had made them think twice about backing up information in future.

And the age group that has lost the most portable devices containing phone numbers and contact details? At 33 per cent, it's the 25 to 35-years-olds. Not surprisingly, the over 55s, at 8 per cent, were found to have lost the least.

"Data backup and protection is not just a concern for businesses. Today's 'Digital Generation' load an increasing amount of information onto phones, iPods and laptops every day, and with this comes risk," said Mark Stevens of NetApp - which commissioned the survey.

It seems there's also a gender difference in attitudes towards the loss of digital images. Three times as many women said they were very worried about losing their photos than men, according to the survey.

Julia Sagar
Content director, special projects

Julia specialises in ecommerce at Future. For the last four years, she’s split her time between leading TechRadar’s crack team of deal editors - covering all the biggest sales of the year including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day - and helping the audiences of Future’s consumer tech and lifestyle brands (TechRadar, Tom's Guide, T3, Marie Claire, Woman & Home and more) find the best products and services for their needs and budget.


A former editor of global design website Creative Bloq, she has over 15 years’ experience in online and print journalism, and was part of the team that launched TechRadar way back in the day. When she isn't reviewing mattresses (she’s tested more than she cares to remember), or sharing tips on how to save money in the latest sales, she can usually be found writing about anything from green energy to graphic design.