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80% of Canadians can’t keep off the internet for 8 straight hours: survey

85% haven’t taken a week-long break this year
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(AP file photo)

A new survey suggests 85 per cent of Canadians have not gone “off the grid” at all in the past year.

The survey, part of a report released Tuesday from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, polled 2,000 Canadians, and found only 15 per cent had not managed to stay off the internet for a whole week, and another 20 per cent reported they disconnected for just eight hours.

Quebecers were the most patriotic in what content they like to see, with 22 per cent saying they often or always seek out Canadian content. British Columbians were the least – 39 per cent said they almost never look for Canadian material.

Seven out of 10 internet users reported they wouldn’t buy a home without high-speed internet. B.C. and Alberta had the fastest internet in 2019, outpacing former winner New Brunswick in 2019.

Even the older demographic is coming on board, with 57 per cent of baby boomers having smartphones in 2019, compared with 24 per cent in 2015.

Attention spans are decreasing, the survey shows. About 75 per cent of Canadians go online even while they’re watching television.

Just under half of Canadians admit to using their phones in the bathrooms, while 45 per cent say they have to provide informal technical support for their families.

To round it out: Nine per cent of respondents said they get their education online, 16 per cent found their home online, 22 per cent found a job online and 10 per cent found their spouse online.

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@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

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