Go on, admit it, you love spying on other people…
…It’s okay, don’t be shy, you’re not the only one. A new survey has revealed just how much time we spend ogling people we don’t know, or barely know, on the internet; and the results are quite worrying!
The study, by www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, found that we spend an average of 14 minutes a day looking at strangers on social media – that amounts to a staggering 86 hours a year, or three and a half days.
The results of the survey have been reported in detail by The Telegraph. The poll questioned 2,704 UK adults (1,336 females and 1,368 males).
Most of us would probably not initially admit to being nosy, or interested in other people, but when we analyse how long we spend staring at the profiles and pictures of strangers, we can see just how strong this human instinct really is.
The survey also showed 72% check up on ex-partner’s love interests, 64% browse profiles of attractive people, 48% look at the profiles of their partner’s unknown friends and family, 27 percent at their partner’s work colleagues and 19 per cent at strangers with similar interests.
George Charles, spokesperson for VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, told The Telegraph how surprised he was himself at the results. He added: “I must admit I didn’t expect the results to be quite so high, particularly when it came to those admitting they check their ex’s new partner profiles.
“It is of some concern that 14 per cent of respondents admitted to creating fake profiles in order to “stranger stalk” on social media. I would strongly suggest some of those people log off their computers for now!”
I’m determined to put my 14 minutes a day to better use from now on. Maybe I will spend it educating myself by reading something intellectual on the internet, catching up on national or international news, or even doing a bit of online Christmas shopping!