British Internet users spend an average of two days a month surfing the
web aimlessly, or "wilfing" as the activity has been dubbed, according to
a study released on Tuesday.
More than two thirds of Britons admit to wilfing -- short for what was
I looking for? -- while a quarter say they spend 30 percent or more of
their time on the Internet surfing without any purpose.
Men are bigger wilfers than women, with shopping websites the biggest
distractions, according to the study by price comparison website
moneysupermarket.com.
"The Internet was designed to make it easier for people to access the
information they need quickly and conveniently," said Jason Lloyd, head of
broadband at the website.
"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."
A third of all men admitted that wilfing has harmed their relationship
-- perhaps because almost one in five confess they are "distracted" from
work or study by adult entertainment websites.
"These days there are all manner of websites gunning for our
attention," said British television "lifestyle coach" Pete Cohen.
"Not allowing ourselves to wilf takes a mixture of planning and
willpower."
