Brits making new friends online
Internet users across the UK have an average of 17 friends who they first met online – rising to 25 friends for men under 25, according to new research from TNS.
The Digital World, Digital Life study found that although younger age groups have more online friends it is the older web users who actually have a higher proportion of their social circle online. Whereas 24% of 18 to 25-year-olds’ friends are ‘online only’, this rises to a third (33%) of 35 to 44 year olds’ friends.
Virtual friendships also span the globe, said TNS. On average, each respondent reported having 17 online friends. However, whilst geography is no issue in the online world, language is – demonstrated by the majority of Brits’ international online friends living in English-speaking countries (United States (23%), Australian (17%) and Canada (10%).
However, the study also found that many people doubt the true identity of our online ‘friends’, with 37% of respondents admitting that they cannot be sure of an online friend’s identity.
When it comes to interaction with families and real world friends, people still prefer to meet face to face, with email and online forums falling far behind meeting and phoning as the preferred way to interact.
Conducted in 16 countries, Digital World, Digital Life examines online behaviour and perspectives around the world. More than 27,000 participants aged 18 to 55 years old were interviewed online to see how much of their social life is conducted online.
Arno Hummerston, managing director, TNS Global Interactive, said: “What comes out in this survey is that we are actively engaging with people online, but we haven’t lost the knack for conventional social contact.
“At the same time, online acquaintances are now perceived by most of us as real acquaintances. This is underlined by the high percentages of people who, having first met people online, go on to meet them in person or at least by talking on the phone. But behind that is the sense of worry among our respondents who clearly express concern about the true online identity of these apparent friends.”
TNS Global: www.tnsglobal.com