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NEW YORK - Rather than looking for their perfect match, one in four Americans say the internet can serve as a substitute for a significant other, according to a new poll.
A survey on the role the internet plays in people's lives by Zogby International and communications consultancy 463 Communications found that 24 per cent of Americans said the internet could replace a partner for some period of time.
The percentage was highest among singles of whom 31 per cent said the internet could be a substitute - with no difference among males and females.
The researchers said the online survey of 9,743 adults conducted between Oct 4-8 showed that some younger people viewed the internet as their new best friend.
For while more than one in four Americans has a social networking profile such as MySpace or Facebook, among 18-24 year-olds this is almost mandatory with 78 per cent of them having a social networking profile.
Breaking it down by political beliefs, the study found more Democrats have a social networking presence than Republicans - at 32 per cent to 22 per cent.
But although American may love the internet, most are not prepared to implant it into their brain - even if it was safe, the researchers said.
Only 11 per cent of respondents said they would be willing to safely implant a device that let them use their mind to access the internet although one in five would insert a chip into a child 13 years old or younger to help track them.
- REUTERS
