According to the latest data from Istat, the number of Italians that exploit free online platforms, both for entertainment and learning platforms. In the report on the use of digital tools in the two-year period 2024-2025, the Institute revealed that over 82% of Italian families have a broadband connection, with an increase of four percentage points compared to 2022. In addition, 70% of Italian users regularly participate in at least one free digital activity every week.
Free-to-play gaming boom
This trend is the free-to-play video games and free online slots, particularly widespread among young adults. The video game of video games in Italy has grown by 15% on an annual basis, with a strong interest in online multiplayer titles such as Fortnite and League of Legends. According to Aesvi (Italian Association for Interactive Digital Entertainment), the number of Italian players between 16 and 24 years of age who accesses at least one every week Free slot or another online game went from 3.2 million in 2023 to 3.7 million in the first months of 2025.
Streaming and social media: free use dominates
Not only gaming: Italians continue to prefer the free versions of the streaming platforms for music and video, such as Spotify And YouTube. Istat data indicate that 60% of Internet users listen to music or watch online videos without subscribing to subscriptions. Social media also remain central in digital habits: Facebook is used by 78% of Italian internet users, while Instagram by 62%. The weight of video-oriented platforms such as Tiktok, increasingly popular among the new generations, is also growing.
Growing culture and learning growing
The greatest use of the internet does not only concern entertainment. According to the Ministry of Culture, the free virtual tours offered by institutions such as the Uffizi Galleries They recorded a 20% increase in online visitors in 2024-2025 compared to the previous year. Even educational platforms such as Khan Academy and Duolingo have also seen an increase in registrations of 12%, a sign of an increasing interest in digital learning and the study of languages.
An increasingly digital future
Experts provide that this trend will continue to grow in 2025, thanks to the improvement of connectivity and the growing preference for flexible lifestyles.
“The free digital platforms allow Italians to explore new interests, acquire skills and have fun without affecting the family budget,” explains Christian Lowe of the basic, COO of Raketech. “With the expansion of broadband, especially in rural areas, these numbers are destined to further increase.”