Canadians now spend more time on Internet than watching TV, poll shows

For the first time, Canadians are spending more time surfing the Web than they are watching television, according to the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll.

The results of the poll, released today (March 22), show Canadians are now spending 18 hours per week on-line, compared to 16.9 hours watching TV.

That’s up from last year, when Internet usage was at 14.9 hours per week and TV watching at 15.8 hours.

“In previous years we’ve seen significant differences between the generations and the amount of time they spend online,” study author Mark Laver said in a press release. “The data indicates that not only are people of all ages spending more and more time online, but it also points to a shift in how online Canadians are consuming media and where they are spending their free time.”

Laver noted that, although some content watched by Canadians on-line used to be previously watched on TV, the Internet is also offering access to new content.

Canadians over the age of 55 are still watching more TV than their younger counterparts, but as a whole Canadians are spending more time in front of their computer screens.

The poll shows men are spending more time on-line than women, with men on the Internet for around 20 hours per week compared to 16 hours for women.

According to the release, it also found that other media, such as newspapers, radio, and magazines, have remained “relatively stable” in the last year.