German twenty-somethings prefer Internet to partner

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

HANOVER (Reuters) – German twenty-somethings would ditch their spouses and do without a car in a heartbeat if they had to choose between having them or Internet access or a mobile phone, according to an industry study.

In a survey by German broadband association Bitkom around 84 percent of respondents aged 19-29 said they would rather do without their current partner or an automobile than forego their connection to the Web.

Living without a mobile phone was also unthinkable for 97 percent of those questioned in that age range.

Nevertheless, Bitkom president August-Wilhelm Scheer said on Monday in Hanover that did not mean that "the Web is an anonymous medium that leads to social indifference."

One of the main themes at this year's annual tech trade fair CeBit in Hanover is what the organizers have dubbed "Webciety," short for WorldWideWeb society.

Bitkom said 1,000 people had taken part in the survey, and one in two people said they had made new friends thanks to chat forums and Internet communities. Around 8 percent said they had found a new partner thanks to online relations.

"The Web creates real relationships and does not result in autism and dehumanization," said Scheer, who admitted he gets nervous when he does not have Internet access while on vacation.

Still, Scheer said, there was a digital divide in Germany that needed to be bridged.

"There's a gap and it's not with 30-year-olds or 40-year-olds it's with those 50 years of age and above," Scheer said.

The way people in their forties and those in their twenties used the Web did not differ much, Scheer said, but the difference to someone in their mid-fifties was significant.

"One of the main challenges in society today is to ensure that all age groups are up to par when it comes to the Internet," Scheer said.

link

[alienlovechild 75]

In a survey by German broadband association Bitkom around 84 percent of respondents aged 19-29 said they would rather do without their current partner or an automobile than forego their connection to the Web.

Living without a mobile phone was also unthinkable for 97 percent of those questioned in that age range.

Perfect for country that's had negative population growth for years. Looks like the trend won't change with this generation.

[Peikko 1,575]

Which is a bad thing because?

I applaud negative population growth.

Anyway, what people say they 'would do' given a certain set of choices that are not ever realistically going to be real choices and what they would actually do, if it was a real choice are not necessarily the same.

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

Internet FTW

[alienlovechild 75]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

[HAL 9000 96]

Hey lets invite these Germans over to VJ.

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

Priceless.

[rclouse 0]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

It's already happening here.

[HAL 9000 96]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

It's already happening here.

[almaty 19]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

It's already happening here.

touche

[Jasman0717 9]

So then what, take matters into their own hands

[Melian 0]

*emails link to German fiance*

Looks like we're better off without the visa, after all.

Edited March 11, 2009 by Melian

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Why can I totally buy this?

*emails link to German fiance*

Looks like we're better off without the visa, after all.

Yes, but then you'll never know what it is like to IM your SO when you are literally standing 4 ft away from them.

Edited March 11, 2009 by Wacken

[mawilson 2,133]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

[amberdima 6]

Why can I totally buy this?

*emails link to German fiance*

Looks like we're better off without the visa, after all.

Yes, but then you'll never know what it is like to IM your SO when you are literally standing 4 ft away from them.

done it

[Nagishkaw 510]

I applaud negative population growth.

I've got no problem with it but why couldn't it happen to poverty stricken nations with little to contribute to humanity?

PWNED!