Cloud of Internet with silver lining?

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Computers and high speed internet connections have become necessity of life. Day by day as we are technically growing, somewherearen’t we getting detached to the real world and more attached to the virtual world? The other day, I was reading an article on a survey about online generation; I was shocked to get the fact how much time is spent online by people. Probably that is even the root cause of stress, obesity, cranky behavioural disorders and more important, the new generation has stuck to PC / chair and room. Online gambling and games is another big addiction which has proven to be a curse. These addictions allow people to get captivated with speed. A new survey has revealed that internet users in India spend an average of 58 hours a week online; that’s more than half the time they are awake. What’s even more fascinating to know is they suffered from internet withdrawal within the first three hours of being cut off from the web. The addictions are so strong that they cannot sustain without it. Here comes the detachment from outer world, where they exactly belong to!

In the anti-virus company that conducted a survey has mentioned that, we Indians spend 12.9 hours browsing, 9.7 hours socializing and 6.1 hours on email every week. Most of the users would miss doing work-related tasks the most if left without an internet connection. Social networking was the second most important task, while ease of life activities like paying bills and shopping online came third. In fact, 83% of users said they couldn’t live without the internet for more than 24 hours. According to Norton, the need to stay constantly connected is a new trend among Indian net surfers. In an almost fantastic finding, three out of four respondents to the survey said they would give up $1 million than grant a stranger full access to their computers.

We Indian internet users clearly place a high value on their personal information online. 40% of India’s online community had declared that they value their financial information the most, followed by 35% who place a premium on their online accounts, including email and social networks. The survey-conducted using a sample size of 500 respondents between the ages of 18 to 64 yearsalso concluded that Indian users own an average of 2.8 devices that are connected to the internet. And while 60% of users are content with basic security, the antivirus expert said it wasn’t enough to protect them from the advanced malware and phishing attacks that their devices are exposed to on a daily basis.

There are some service providers strict about user information and security but at the same time you as user need to be aware of your security too. Changing password frequently, keeping good security options, securing your mail, avoid responding to spams and links are the least a user can do to make sure their information is safe. As far as mobile devices are concerned, setting up password protection and software that can help you remotely lock your phone are two ways you can keep your private data protected.

As the new gadgets making their way to your life, you become more addicted to device and internet. The world revolves around the internet. On an average, we spend 58 hours online per week, number of internetconnected devices owned: 2.8/online Indian.

Almost everyone possess 3 Devices, Computers (92%) Mobile Phones (72%)TVs (39%). These three devices have become way of our life. Apart from this three prominent devices used for Internet access are Computers: 90%, Mobile Phones: 48% and Tablets: 11%. Average No of Hours Spent on internet by an individual per week goes like this, Browsing: 12.9 hrs, Socializing: 9.7 hrs. Emails: 6.1 hrs. 83% of users couldn’t live without the Internet for more than 24 hours. 49% would suffer from Internet withdrawal within the first 3 hours.

Gambling is a whim control problem, which means that you go very quickly from the urge to the act. Games are vital attraction; virtual friends, romance, and many such activities keep you bonded and bided. Gamblers can end up losing more money online than at an actual private club. No travel, no commuting,has given a gist of thought over the paradox of defining pleasure. Gambling websites may claim their players win big money but so far, there have been no statistical facts available. I have witnessed many teenagers and even adults spending their life over online poker and cards.

There is a famous saying in the dawn of internet memes. Life made sense when Apple was a fruit, chips were crisps, tablets were medicines and Windows gave a view of wonderful world outside.

Vaidehi Taman
(Group Editor NBC)
editornbc@gmail.com
April 2012