Survey Says, "Many Canadians Would Give Up Alcohol, Chocolate And Coffee Before The Internet"

BY: 

Dave Forde
May 9, 2012

There are a few things that Canadians love and know for, hockey, being nice and being “always on,”  according to a new survey from Rogers a vast majority of Canadians love having access to the Internet.  Survey data reveals that over three quarters (79 per cent) say that the Internet allows them to connect in ways that make their lives better now and 72 per cent expect the Internet to play an increasingly important role in the next five years.

Canadians Love To Be Connected To The Internet

  • 79% of Connected Canadians say Internet makes their lives better
  • Most want to use the Internet to better manage their health
  • Men are more keen than women to use technology for bargain shopping and ‘smart’ appliances like a fridge that intuitively orders groceries

“The Internet is indispensable to us today and we have yet to see its full potential,” said Robert Switzman, Senior Director Emerging Business, Rogers Communications. “From apps that monitor cholesterol to fridges that automatically order groceries, the Internet is becoming the backbone of all connections in the world around us, and will continue to evolve how we go about our daily lives.”

 

The survey is part of their Rogers Innovation Report which leverages joint research from Rogers and Vision Critical and regularly explores connected Canadians’ habits and views on technology. This latest Report focuses on the future of Internet connections – how the Internet is being used today and how Canadians will want to use it in the future.

Connected Canadians say that the Internet is essential to them today and they are prepared to make sacrifices for this important connection.

Important Is Part Of Our Everyday Lives

Today, those surveyed say they are using the Internet to connect with family and friends (98 per cent), follow the news (97 per cent), do their personal banking and manage their finances (94 per cent), research health issues and symptoms (93 per cent) and watch movies and television (92 per cent).  Of course social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter help people around the world stay connected from their desktop or mobile devices.

And they would sacrifice a lot before they’d give up their Internet connections. Thirty-four per cent would give up alcohol, 31 per cent would go without chocolate and 27 per cent would skip coffee. What they wouldn’t sacrifice? Only six per cent would give up regular sex, four per cent would go without daily bathing and four per cent would choose the Internet over personal contact with others.

Canadian technology users expect the Internet to be even more important in their daily lives in the future.

Expecting great things from the Internet

Healthier living: More than half (51%) say they would make better decisions about diet and exercise if technology would allow them to track their vitals, such as blood sugar level, heart rate and cholesterol level, while 57 per cent want a diagnosis by connecting with their doctor online.

Honey, the fridge says we’re out of milk: Thirty-seven per cent (47 per cent of 18-24 year olds) say ‘smart’ appliances would help them manage their households better with 44 per cent of men believing this vs. 30 per cent of women.

Checking freshness and saving money: Fifty-six per cent want real-time access on their mobile devices to information on grocery store items, such as origin, ingredients and how long it’s been on the shelf. Sixty per cent would prefer to shop at a store that enables them to use their mobile device for price comparisons, with 64 per cent of men interested in this option vs. 54 per cent of women.

Wanted: tech-savvy employers: Overall, those surveyed want to work for tech savvy companies. Sixty per cent of all surveyed would consider leaving a job to work for a company that allows them to work from anywhere.

Downloading information directly into the brain: Many of those surveyed have creative ways for how future Internet experiences may make their lives easier and better. Ideas included downloading information directly into the brain, automating road traffic to eliminate the need for human drivers and virtual reality phone calls that would assimilate personal contact.

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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