Young people 'prefer internet to TV'

Young people are now spending 10% more time online than in front of the box, according to a survey of European internet usage.

The European Interactive Advertising Association's Mediascope survey also found growing web usage among silver surfers and women (12% and 8% respectively) compared to last year.

Other highlights include:

Web vs TV

• Though 16-24 year olds are the only age group that use the web more than TV, the internet is closing fast across all age groups. 75% of all internet users go online more than 5 days a week, while 86% watch TV as regularly.

Top online activities

• Search and email are the two most popular online activities, with 87% using search engines and 81% email. In third place is social networking, with 42% of internet users across the ten European countries visiting one at least monthly.

Type of websites used

• News websites - visited at least once a month by 65% of web users.
• Local information - 52%
• Travel - 51%
• Banking / finance - 50%
• Music - 46%
• Holidays - 46%
• Price comparison sites - 44%
• Tech sites - 41%
• Films - 38%
• Auction sites - 36%
• Sports sites - 36%

Over 7,000 people in ten Western European countries were interviewed for the report, which has been published for the past five years.

Related stories:
UK, Germany, Sweden head European net league  
Women find net indispensable part of life

Related research:
Internet Statistics Compendium - November 2007  

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