Web users waste hours 'wilfing'
Updated on 12 April 2007
Britain is becoming a nation of aimless internet users, spending an average of two full working days a month surfing the web without any real purpose, a study claims.
More than two thirds of the UK's 33.7 million internet users admit to the newly-identified habit of "wilfing" (What Was I Looking For?), and put their hands up to being regularly distracted when surfing, whether at work or in the home.
And almost a quarter of the country's internet users spend 30% or more of their internet time wilfing - that's the equivalent to spending an entire working day every fortnight browsing the net aimlessly.
Pete Cohen, life coach and TV personality said: "Not allowing ourselves to wilf takes a mixture of planning and willpower.
"These days there are all manner of websites gunning for our attention. Set yourself a specific surfing goal and time limit to keep on track."
The research, conducted by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com, also reveals shopping websites are the biggest cause of wilfing - while men are much more likely to be wilfing than women.
In fact a third of males quizzed in the nationwide study even admit wilfing has had a damaging effect on their relationship with their partner - a possible cause being that almost one in five men confess to being 'distracted' from work or study by adult entertainment websites.
Jason Lloyd, head of broadband at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The internet was designed to make it easier for people to access the information they need quickly and conveniently.
"However, our study shows that although people log on with a purpose, they are now being offered so much choice and online distraction that many forget what they are there for, and spend hours aimlessly wilfing instead."
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
