Hardcore broadband users in
Britain spend more time on virtual networking than they do on real life
socializing, a survey revealed Thursday.
Some six per cent of the 10,500 broadband users questioned in the
survey admitted spending on average more than 10 hours a week online
social networking, the equivalent of 24 days a year.
This compared with the 22 days spent actually meeting friends and
relatives.
Half of all broadband users log onto social networking sites such as
Facebook, MySpace and MSN Messenger, the price comparison and switching
service uSwitch.com found.
The average amount of time spent on virtual networking is nearly three
hours a week, or six days a year.
It has overtaken online shopping, banking and downloading music as one
of the most popular online activities. Only surfing the net and emailing
is more popular.
Women use social networking sites more than men, 56 per cent compared
to 46 per cent.
Nearly 75 per cent of those visiting social networking sites are aged
between 18 and 29 years.
The average Briton spends 15.8 hours a week online, the equivalent to
34 days a year.
Nearly eight million broadband customers pay between ￡15 ($35) and ￡30
($70) a month for the service, with the average cost standing at ￡18
($42).
Steve Weller, head of communications at uSwitch, said: "We are not
surprised to find that the internet user is spending nearly a week
socialising online. Consumers from all walks of life are embracing the
trend."
The uSwitch findings were based on a survey of 10,513 adults in Britain
carried out by YouGov in May.
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(Agencies)
