Posted: 25th Nov, 2011 By: MarkJ


The results of a new study from Sky Broadband (BSkyB) has revealed how 51% (57% if you live in London) of the 2,000 British adults surveyed claimed that being unable to check their
emails or
Facebook page caused them to suffer from "
e-anxiety" (a feeling of angst or worry). Women were also more likely to suffer from this than men (52% vs 46%), yet
26% of men spent six hours+ online compared with 21% of women.
Furthermore nearly 60% of Brits believe that they knew more about the Internet than the "
average" person and 87% claimed to be "
confident" with using online services. Some 72% also claimed to be better informed about world events and 74% felt more knowledgeable, all thanks to the internet.
Apparently 32% made sure to
check their personal emails over 6 times a day (excluding working hours) and 5% checked over 20 times. It's worth remembering that most email services have automatic checks that prompt you when new messages arrive. Meanwhile 14% claimed to check their social networking pages over 6 times a day, which is easily done if you have a modern Smartphone.
Sky Broadband's Jon Blumberg said:
"Our results reveal that this demand for unlimited broadband has turned much of the nation into Gigabyte Britain; addicted to their emails and social media accounts without worrying about knowing how stuff works or who built it in the first place. They just want good value and reliable internet access whether they are at home, in the office, or on the move."
It's hardly a revelation that the
internet is playing an ever more important role in our everyday lives, especially if you live in London. Still 23% said they'd never used a social networking website and 22% have never watched an online video.
Unfortunately 25% also seemed to believe that
Apple (tm) (iPhone etc.) runs the web. That's obviously incorrect; we all know that Rabbits are really the internet's primary driving force with Hamsters helping to generate all the needed electricity from their running wheels.