15 percent of over a thousand people recently surveyed in the USA said they could cope OK without the Internet for a day or *less*. That’s just terrible.. a whole day?

I’m trying to think back to the last time I kept away from the Internet for an entire 24 hours. I think it was in 2000 when I was travelling across outback Australia while moving interstate. I believe I lasted 2, maybe 3 days then. It was all a blur. Withdrawals from IDS (Internet Dependency Syndrome) perhaps? And I thought it was just the heat!

I’d never really given this a lot of thought until I read some results from the survey by advertising agency JWT. The survey also found:

– Only 20% said they would be fine without online access for a week

– 48 percent of respondents agreed feeling unsettled if they couldn’t access the Internet when they wanted to.

– Over a quarter of respondents stated they spend time socializing in the flesh due to online or gadget related activities.

– 20% stated they are less active in er.. let’s say some nocturnal activities (this being a “g” rate blog)

– In terms of “most necessary” – the Internet wins out over cell phones and television

– 40% said more of their spending now occurs online

– Close to half over the age of 55 live at least some of their life online

– 97 percent had internet access at home

You can read more of the survey results here

What about you? When was the last time you spent more than a day away from the Internet?