Internet and gadgets ‘central to people’s lives’

Online dating users may find they would struggle to cope if they were denied access to the internet and other interactive devices.

According to research from esure entitled Square Eyes, some 61 per cent of people would have withdrawal symptoms if they did not use their devices such as computers, smartphones and e-readers.

Some 28 per cent of participants said they have surfed the internet while at a party, whereas 13 per cent have done so at a wedding.

Head of home insurance Nikki Sellers says: "TVs, computers and other whizzy gadgets … have become central to peoples lives, so it's not surprising that the average person spends so much of their time staring at a screen."

The findings follow comments from UK digital champion Martha Lane Fox, who recently told the Sun she is proud of the way Britons are embracing technology.

She said online dating is just one of the popular activities carried out on the web, as well as tasks such as job hunting.

Posted by Mark Wilkins