The following results are based on a survey taken in 1999 by America Online and Roper Starch of 500 children between the ages of nine and 17 years old. The study (an annual Internet study held jointly by the two firms) also questioned adults about the role the Internet plays in their lives.
About 63 per cent of children polled said they preferred the Web over television.
Fifty five per cent said they'd rather go online than talk on the phone
Over 52 percent of participants said they had moved their furniture in order to accommodate a household computer.
Newcomers to the Web report spending an average of 6.6 hours a week online.
People with three years experience or more report spending 10.5 hours per week on the Web.
Both adults and children said if they were stranded on a deserted island they'd prefer to have a computer with an Internet connection rather than a television or a phone.
The most common activities on the Web include shopping, listening to music, playing games and chatting.
Of the 1,000 adults surveyed, 42 per cent said they make purchases online, compared with only 31 per cent one year ago.
Experienced Web surfers buy more on the Web, spending an average of $266 per person in the last three months.
New users spent an average of $109 per person in the last three months.
The primary Web interests among young adults are writing e-mail, real-time chatting, playing games, and downloading music.
Children aged 9 through 11 said they log on about three times a week, while teens aged 15 through17 said they log on about five days a week.
Source: America Online - Roper Starch Cyberstudy 2
