Adult internet users are now spending an average of 13 hours a week online, according to a survey by market research firm Harris Interactive.
However, people’s usage varies greatly; one in five (20%) of adult internet users are online for only two hours or less a week while one in seven (14%) are spending 24 or more hours a week online.
The survey of 2,029 adults has shown that the average hours spent online have increased from 7 hours in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, to between 8 and 9 hours in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2007, it increased to 11 hours.
According to the survey, the age groups that spend the most time online are those aged 30-39 (18 hours) and those aged 25-29 (17 hours) and 40-49 (17 hours); half (50%) of all those online bought something on the internet in the last month. This includes 62% of those aged 30-39 and 56% of those aged 40-49.
The number of adults online, now 184 million (80%), has not changed significantly since 2008 and 2007. It includes those online at work, at home, at school or any other locations.
In addition, the number of adults who are online at home has increased to 76% this year, and 75% last year, compared to 70% in 2006 and 66% in 2005, the firm said.
