New Delhi: Computer users waste up to two days a month surfing in cyberspace for things they don't need, says a survey reported by Daily Mail.
The phenomenon has been named wilfing –a short-form for ‘what was I looking for’. The phenomenon affects over two thirds of the 34 million internet users across UK, says the news daily.
A major proportion of them admit to indulging in the aimless surfing whether at home or at work. "Not allowing ourselves to wilf takes a mixture of planning and willpower,” internet user Pete Cohen was quoted by The Daily Mail.
"There are all kinds of websites gunning for our attention. Set yourself a specific surfing goal and time limit to keep on track," he adds.
The research, conducted for the price comparison website moneysupermarket.com also reveals that shopping websites are the biggest cause of wilfing.
Another interesting finding was that men are much more likely to seek out for sites and browse through them aimlessly for hours without making a purchase than women.
One-third of males quizzed in the study even admitted ‘wilfing’ has had a damaging effect on their relationship with their partner. One in five men who used the internet also confessed to being "distracted" from work or study by adult entertainment websites.
"The Internet was designed to make it easier for people to access the information they need quickly and conveniently,” Jason Lloyd, head of broadband at moneysupermarket.com told the news daily.
Researchers have found the Internet has hit the profits of major high street stores, especially at Christmas when thousands of shoppers choose to avoid the seasonal rush and buy presents on line.
With excerpts from The Daily Mail
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