Swiss surf for information instead of fun

The average Swiss spends 45 minutes online every day, mainly using the internet as an information tool rather than entertainment, a study has found.

The ongoing World Internet Project at Zurich University found 77 per cent of people aged over 14 surf the Web.

Around 43 per cent use the internet for work and 26 per cent go online while on the move, mainly through their smartphones.

Almost all users use the internet to email (96 per cent) and as a search tool (92 per cent), 75 per cent read the news, 73 per cent read online information sites such as Wikipedia and 68 per cent use it to look up health problems.

Three-quarters of people are looking for products and travel information, while two-thirds compare prices or shop online. Users consider online media to be as credible as newspapers, radio and television.

Online videos are the most common entertainment (66 per cent), followed by music and internet radio (54 and 43 per cent), while around 37 per cent watch television online. In general, however, most users prefer to watch television or listen to the radio for fun.

Half of users belong to social networks, a third make phone calls via the Web and ten per cent go online looking for love. Two-thirds upload photos to the Web and a third take part in discussion forums.

However, 39 per cent are very or extremely worried about credit card details being stolen and a third feel their personal data are being misused.