Rather than looking for their perfect match, one in four Americans say the internet can serve as a substitute for a significant other, according to a poll.
A survey on the role the internet plays in people’s lives by Zogby International and communications consultancy, 463 Communications, found that 24 per cent of Americans said the internet could replace a partner for some period of time.
The percentage was highest among singles of whom 31 per cent said the internet could be a substitute – with no difference among males and females.
The researchers said the online survey of 9,743 adults conducted between October 4 and 8 showed that some younger people viewed the internet as their new best friend.
For while more than one in four Americans has a social networking profile such as MySpace or Facebook, among 18-24-year-olds. This is almost mandatory with 78 per cent of them having a social networking profile.
Breaking it down by political beliefs, the study found more Democrats have a social networking presence than Republicans – at 32 per cent as against 22 per cent.
But although Americans may love the internet, most are not prepared to implant it into their brain – even if it was safe, the researchers said.
Only 11 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to safely implant a device that let them use their mind to access the internet, although one in five would insert a chip into a child 13 years old or younger to help track them.
A survey on the role the internet plays in people’s lives by Zogby International and communications consultancy, 463 Communications, found that 24 per cent of Americans said the internet could replace a partner for some period of time.
The percentage was highest among singles of whom 31 per cent said the internet could be a substitute – with no difference among males and females.
The researchers said the online survey of 9,743 adults conducted between October 4 and 8 showed that some younger people viewed the internet as their new best friend.
For while more than one in four Americans has a social networking profile such as MySpace or Facebook, among 18-24-year-olds. This is almost mandatory with 78 per cent of them having a social networking profile.
Breaking it down by political beliefs, the study found more Democrats have a social networking presence than Republicans – at 32 per cent as against 22 per cent.
But although Americans may love the internet, most are not prepared to implant it into their brain – even if it was safe, the researchers said.
Only 11 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to safely implant a device that let them use their mind to access the internet, although one in five would insert a chip into a child 13 years old or younger to help track them.