Networking sites 'taking over'
2007-07-20 09:24
London - Hardcore broadband users in
Britain spend more time on virtual networking than they do on
real life socialising, a survey revealed on Friday.
Some six percent 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 the most popular online activity. Only surfing the net
and e-mailing is more popular.
Women use social networking sites more than men, 56%
compared to 46%.
Nearly 75% 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
and £30 a month for the service, with the average
cost standing at £18.
Steve Weller, head of communications at uSwitch, said: "We
are not surprised to find that the average internet user is
spending nearly a week socialising online. Consumers from all
walks of life are embracing the trend.
"We've seen huge growth in this phenomenon over the last
couple of years."
The uSwitch findings were based on a survey of 10 513 adults
in Britain carried out by YouGov in May.
This was compared to data from the National Statistics' time
use survey carried out in 2005.