Gadgets no substitute for face-to-face chatting

People are unhappy with the lack of face-to-face time they spend with friends and family, a study found.

The incessant march of technology is to blame with texting, e-mailing and social networking taking over from traditional chatting, it found.

The research reveals that 95 per cent of those quizzed are dissatisfied with the amount of “real” time they spend with friends and family.

While 58 per cent prefer face to face above all other forms of communication, the nation’s dependence on chatting online – gadget to gadget – is reducing the time available for socialising.

One in three (31 per cent) admit to wasting time browsing online without any clear purpose – a phenomenon known as Wilfing (what was I looking for).

The study also revealed that one in five people find managing their online accounts time consuming, while some (four per cent) declare it takes up most of their time.

Some 25 per cent of consumers are concerned about becoming more dependent on technology for their social connections while a fifth (21 per cent) cite loneliness as a major concern.

Behavioural psychologist Peter Collett said: “Gadget to gadget is fine, provided it doesn’t replace face to face.”