The following is partially excerpted from a release issued by Statistics Canada.

On August 30, Statistics Canada released the results from the Digital Economy Survey (DES), the first of its kind in Canada. The survey was conducted in June and July 2018. The release sheds light on Canadians’ use and purchase of various digital products and payment options. It also looks at ways of earning money from digital platforms and apps, such as online bulletin boards. The DES estimates cover the period from July 2017 to June 2018.

Among the findings:

Younger Canadians are more likely to use or purchase digital products. Roughly 90% of people aged 18 to 44 purchased or used free versions of digital products in the 12 months to June 2018. Two-thirds of adults in Canada purchased digital products from July 2017 to June 2018, with this proportion decreasing with age. And those with higher personal incomes were more likely to report digital purchases.
Two-thirds of Canadians used or purchased video downloads or streaming services. Nearly two-thirds of Canadians aged 18 and older reported using free versions or purchasing video downloads or streaming services from July 2017 to June 2018.
Canadians spend more on average on computer software, mobile apps and other online subscriptions than other digital products. Over half (57%) of adults in Canada used free versions or purchased computer software, mobile applications (apps), online courses and other online subscriptions such as fantasy sports leagues or dating sites from July 2017 to June 2018. Young Canadians aged 18 to 24 spent double on average than those 65 years of age and older, while men ($316) also spent more than women ($192).
Younger Canadians are most likely to use or purchase digital music. Over half of Canadians aged 18 and older either purchased or used free versions of digital music, including downloads and streaming services from July 2017 to June 2018. This proportion rose to 82% for people aged 18 to 24, and fell to 18% for those aged 65 and older.
E-books are the most popular digital reading product purchased by Canadians. E-books, audiobooks, podcasts, online newspapers and magazines were used for free or purchased by one-third of Canadians 18 years of age and older in the 12 months to June 2018. There was little difference in average spending among gender, age or income groups.
Online gaming is most popular among young men. Online gaming, including game downloads, subscriptions and in game-purchases, were either used for free or purchased by 31% of Canadians aged 18 and older in the 12 months to June 2018. More young men reported using or purchasing online gaming and they spent more on average than other consumers.
More than one-quarter of Canadians make money through online platforms. From July 2017 to June 2018, 28% of Canadians aged 18 and older reported making money through online platforms. The most common method of earning money was by selling new or used products through online bulletin boards such as Kijiji, eBay and Etsy. Other ways of making money included providing online freelance services, posting creative content online, such as YouTube videos, as well as offering peer-to-peer ride, delivery or accommodation services.
Digital payment methods are used for the majority of transactions. Digitization is affecting the way Canadians pay for the goods and services they buy. In the 12 months to June 2018, the bulk of total personal spending (76%) by Canadians aged 18 and older was done using digital payment methods, including debit and credit cards, preauthorized payments or online banking.

For more information, click the links below, which lead to Statistics Canada’s Daily release and an infographic describing the major findings.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/180829/dq180829b-eng.htm

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2018028-eng.htm

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2018028-eng.pdf