Internet Addiction Statistics Boils Down to Devil's Dozen

The average person now spends about 13 hours online each week, according to a Wednesday report from Harris Interactive.

Photo: Internet Addiction Statistics Boils Down to Devil's Dozen

Internet Addiction Statistics Boils Down to Devil's Dozen

Harris Interactive is an American market research company that specializes in public opinion research using both telephone and world-wide web surveys on online panels.

About 20 % of adults are only online for two hours or less a week, while 14 %  are on for 24 hours or more.

The reported times exclude e-mail -- only time spent surfing the Web.

The results are down slightly from last year, when users were online about 14 hours per week. But usage is up from 11 hours per week in 2007.

Harris said the increase is likely due to increased access to the Web, as well as the recession. "It probably reflects a growing ability to use the Internet, an increase in sites and applications, increased TV watching online and increased purchasing online," the company said in a statement. "Also, hours online may have increased because of the recession. Going online is free; going out usually costs money."

PC World has contributed to the report.