An internet connection trumps human connection for most college students, a new study from Cisco found. Two out of three surveyed said the web “is more important to them than dating, going out with friends, or listening to music.”
The study collected responses from 1,400 college students and 1,400 young professionals younger than 30 in 14 different countries, including the U.S.
Here are a few more surprising stats from the survey:
- About nine of 10 (91 percent) college students and young professionals (88 percent) globally have Facebook accounts. One-third (33 percent) of them check their Facebook accounts at least five times per day.
- One of five students (21 percent) have not bought a physical book (excluding textbooks required for class) in a bookstore in more than two years – or ever.
- If forced to choose between one or the other, about two of three students (64 percent) would pick the Internet over having a car (36 percent).
- One in three college students and young professionals consider the Internet to be as important to survival as air, water, food and shelter.
- 55 percent of college students and 62 percent of young employees say they could “not live” without the Internet.
- In a given hour, more than four out of five (84 percent) college students are interrupted at least once by digital media (i.e. instant messaging, social media updates and phone calls).
- Two of five college students surveyed globally (40 percent) affirmed the Internet is more important to them than dating, going out with friends, or listening to music.
- More than one in four college students globally (27 percent) admitted staying updated on Facebook was more important than partying, dating, listening to music, or hanging out with friends.
Facebook is compelling, all right, but it won’t hold you at night. At least until Mark Zuckerberg figures out how to program the site to do that too.
[ZDNet]
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