Brits spend 41 days a year online

Brits now spend more time online than they do watching TV, according to a new survey.

The average British internet user now spends 164 minutes online each day for personal use, the equivalent of more than 41 days each year. This compares to 148 minutes spent watching TV, the equivalent of over 37 days each year.

The research, conducted by TNS and commissioned by Google, shows that surfing the internet is one of Britain's fastest growing activities.

Two thirds of those surveyed said they had increased their time online over the past 12 months, with the biggest growth seen amongst 16 to 24 year olds. Men are still the highest internet users with an average of 172 minutes per day compared to 156 minutes for women.

Shopping has become one of the most popular online activities, with internet users now spending an average of £446 online each year.

A regional breakdown of the research shows that internet users in Greater London spend the most time surfing the web with an average of 183 minutes followed by Scotland (181 minutes). The biggest online spenders were people living in London – spending £517 on average per year.