Nah! You don't say! from today's Toronto Star

Heavy net users are loners, study shows
Aug. 2, 2006. 09:15 AM


OTTAWA (CP) — There's a new study that says heavy Internet users lead a considerably different lifestyle than people who do not surf the web.

Statistics Canada says it found that heavy Net users spent less time to socializing with their spouse or partner, or their children and friends.

And they tended to stay at home, showing less interest in outdoor activities than non-users.

Heavy Net users, defined as those who spend more than an hour a day on the web, also devoted significantly less time than non-users to paid work and chores around the home, and less time sleeping, relaxing, resting or thinking.

The agency says that what is striking is the amount of time they spent alone.

Heavy users were alone nearly two hours longer than non-users.

The study also found:

Heavy users spent an average of 33 minutes less time each day than non-users on domestic work, such as child care and housekeeping."

Spouses and children in particular bore the brunt. Heavy users spent about half an hour less with spouses and with children than did non-users."

Heavy users were less likely than non-users to say they knew most or many of the people in their neighbourhood."

Heavy users spent less time in active sports, engaging in civic and volunteer activities, or attending sports events, movies and other events. But they did express greater enjoyment in participating in clubs and social organizations.

And they remained interested in traditional media.

Both users and non-users spent about the same amount of time, just over two hours, watching television during the day.  ¶ 10:47 AM