The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically upended everyday life for people around the world. For millions of Americans, the inability to attend traditional social events coupled with the ability to work from home meant significant amounts of additional free time, above and beyond pre-pandemic levels. For those who lost jobs, that free time increased even more.
Managing More Free Time
How people managed that extra time understandably varied widely. Some may have spent more time with family or on a favorite hobby. Others may have coped with the stress of the pandemic by indulging in greater-than-usual leisure time. But data suggest that millions of people globally invested their extra time in bettering themselves through online learning opportunities.
