Internet can 'replace' lovers
2007-10-25 13:22
New York - Rather than looking for
their perfect match, one in four Americans say the internet can
serve as a substitute for a significant other, according to a
poll released on Wednesday.
A survey on the role the internet plays in people's lives
by Zogby International and communications consultancy 463
Communications found that 24% of Americans said the
internet could replace a partner for some period of time.
The percentage was highest among singles of whom 31%
said the internet could be a substitute - with no difference
among males and females.
The researchers said the online survey of 9 743 adults
conducted between Oct 4-8 showed that some younger people
viewed the internet as their new best friend.
For while more than one in four Americans has a social
networking profile such as MySpace or Facebook, among 18-24
year-olds this is almost mandatory with 78% of them
having a social networking profile.
Breaking it down by political beliefs, the study found more
Democrats have a social networking presence than Republicans -
at 32% to 22%.
But although American may love the internet, most are not
prepared to implant it into their brain - even if it was safe,
the researchers said.
Only 11% of respondents said they would be willing
to safely implant a device that let them use their mind to
access the internet although one in five would insert a chip
into a child 13 years old or younger to help track them.