Web users addicted to net

Surfers are becoming addicted to the internet and suffer from withdrawal symptoms if deprived of web access, a study has found.

Yahoo’s Internet Deprivation Study tested how emotionally connected consumers are towards the internet by depriving them of access for two weeks.

It found that, irrespective of age, household income or ethnic background, all participants experienced withdrawal and feelings of loss, frustration and disconnectedness when cut off from the online world.

Researchers found that to many, the internet is ingrained in to their daily lives. Surfers missed activities such as booking travel, checking sports scores, communicating with friends and family, and paying bills.

Wenda Harris Millard, chief sales officer at Yahoo, said: “This study is entirely indicative of the myriad ways that the internet, in just ten short years of mainstream consumer consumption, has irrevocably changed the daily lives of consumers.

“This is true to the extent that it was incredibly difficult to recruit participants for this study, as people weren't willing to be without the internet for two weeks.”