The rapid explosion of the internet into British life has been underlined by a survey showing that almost 60pc of Britons spend at least five hours online each week.

The finding is one of several in 21st Century Life Index, a BT report into the future of technology which found that shopping and banking are two of the chief reasons why Britons are logging on in increasing numbers.

According to the survey, conducted in association with Ipsos MORI, 41pc of Britons will shop online this year, up from just 2pc a decade ago. Of more than 1,000 people questioned, 40pc said online banking was a reason they logged on.

The BT 21st Century Life Index is set to be released in full in the next few months.

How much time do you spend on the Internet?  What kind of activities do you perform when you do log on?

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