NETIMPERATIVE -- Nov 30 -- Social networking websites are used by nearly a quarter of Europeans at least once a month, according to a new consumer survey (7,036 participants). The 2006 Mediascope research from the EIAA reveals that social networking is driving internet growth. 72% of Europeans spend the majority of their time online for personal reasons. 45% of internet users in Europe now go online every day of the week. The average European internet user spends 11 hours 20 minutes a week online compared to 10 hours 15 minutes a week in 2005 and is online 5.4 days a week on average. Social networking sites are visited at least once a month by 23% of online Europeans. 32% of 16-24 year old internet users visit social networking sites at least once a month. 31% of European online users download music at least once a month. 15% conduct telephone calls via the internet, up 50% from last year. Spain and Germany lead in the use of online forums with 36% and 31% respectively interacting with those sites at least once a month. Sweden is leading the European internet radio trend with 43% of online users tuning in at least once a month, followed closely by the Spanish and French markets. 25% of internet users in France engage with the blogosphere at least once a month. 85% of online consumers in the UK, France, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark use broadband.
Mark Brooks: Italy and Spain hold opportunity. Eastern Europe is still virgin territory.
