Surfers sacrifice social life to spend time online

A recent poll, conducted in the U.S. by advertising agency JWT, found that the use of the Internet and cell phones was an essential part of life for nearly half of all respondents. However, this time spent engaged with technology is eating away at people’s social lives.

by Helen Leggatt

Of the 1,011 Americans surveyed for JWT’s poll, 97 percent had Internet access at home. Nearly half, 48 percent, claimed that something was missing in their lives if they were without Internet access.

"We are calling them 'digitivity denizens,' those who see their cell phones as an extension of themselves, whose online and offline lives are co-mingled and who would chose a Wi-Fi connection over TV any day," said Ann Mack, director of trend-spotting at JWT. “This is how they communicate, entertain and live."

When asked how long they would feel “OK” without access to the Internet 15 percent said one day or less. Just over a fifth, 21 percent, said a couple of days and 19 percent said a few days.

Face-to-face socializing with peers was a casualty of Internet use for 28 percent of respondents, and 20 percent spent less time having sex in favor of surfing.

"People told us how anxious, isolated and bored they felt when they are forced offline," said Mack in a Reuters release. "They felt disconnected from the world, from their friends and family."