Brits spend 30 hours a week online

Brits spend an average of 30 hours a week online, according to research.

The new study from uSwitch shows that, on a normal working day, British people spend two hours online for work and three hours online for play, with an average of three hours a day at the weekend.

Weekend surfing time increased to more than eight hours a day for those in between the ages of 18 and 24.

Jason Glynn, communications expert at uSwitch.com, said in a statement: "This research shows the huge impact that the internet is having on British life. Broadband is rapidly becoming a necessity - as important to our quality of life as gas or electricity."

He added: "Our reliance looks set to increase dramatically over the coming years as younger generations come to the fore, putting the Government under even more pressure to deliver universal broadband access across the whole country."

The survey also found an addiction to social networking sites with 25 per cent of respondents saying they "needed" to use the websites at least once a day.

Older generations were less interested in the likes of Facebook and Twitter with 67 per cent of the over 65s not using social networking sites at all, but again the 18 to 24 bracket showed 30 per cent spending more than five hours a week just on these sites.

"As we move towards Digital Britain some groups, such as the elderly, are in danger of being left behind," added Glynn.

"More work needs to be done to encourage greater take-up amongst these groups, who could otherwise be left disadvantaged."

The survey also revealed that 93 per cent of respondents did their shopping online as well as 82 per cent saying they managed their finances via the internet.