PRESS RELEASE -

Survey Data on the Internet in Britain Released by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII)

The Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, has today released the OxIS Report 2007, the latest report in a series of Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS) that cover the changing landscape of Internet access, use and attitudes in Britain.

OxIS 2007 Report [PDF, 6.3 Mb]

Topline trends:

• Internet users in Britain are moving to high speed connections: 85% use a broadband connection for home access.
• People think the Internet is more reliable than newspapers, but only Internet users think it is just as reliable as television. Those who do not use the Internet trust television more.
• 17% of Internet users currently maintain an online social networking profile.
• One third (35%) of student users has met someone online, and 13% have met a person offline who they first met online.
• Ex-users are most likely to have stopped Internet use due to a lack of interest and access, whereas non-users give ‘lack of skill’ as the main reason for not being online.
• 72% of Internet users believe that ‘the Internet can be addictive’.
• 93% of all internet users send emails and as many as 60% use instant messaging.

Ellen J. Helsper (OxIS coordinator) has said today: “One of the issues that concerns us most in relation to the Internet in Britain is that we found that ‘digital divides’ continue to exist. Men use the Internet more than women for everything but health related topics, and retired users are three times less likely to use the Internet than students. It is important that we understand why this is the case and OxIS is the most valuable source for this type of information in Britain.”

“As high-speed Internet access has become more available across the UK, the web has become the media outlet, shopping channel, entertainment service, and collaboration and communications tool of choice for much of the population” says Nick Watson (Vice President – Enterprise Business, Cisco Systems UK & Ireland).

“Social networking services like Facebook and Internet communication services, from instant messaging to Unified Communications, are in huge demand. With demand foronline video now driving new services, the coming years will see further cultural change as communities and businesses alike come to see the benefits of these new modes of communication.”

Craig Gordon (Talisma) has said: “Today, the success of any business will depend on its ability to embrace the Internet. The Oxford Internet Survey ensures we understand how the Internet is changing consumer behaviour so we can design and build the next generation of software to ensure customers receive a personalised, fast and accurate service through the communication channel of their choice.”

[ENDS]

Notes for Editors

The Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS) are an authoritative source of information about Internet access, use and attitudes in Britain, with data covering digital and social inclusion and exclusion, regulation and governance of the Internet, privacy, trust and risk concerns, social networking and entertainment, and online education.

The Oxford Internet Institute is a department within the Social Sciences Division of the University of Oxford. It is a leading world centre for the multidisciplinary study of the Internet and society, focusing on Internet-related research and teaching, and on informing policy-making and practice. OxIS benefits from active sponsoring and support from the British Library, Cisco, HEFCE, Ofcom and Talisma.