Kiwis lag in time online

Kiwis spend almost half as much time on the internet as people in other countries. Photo / Kenny Rodger

New Zealand adults spend nearly 50 per cent less time on the internet than other adults worldwide, a new survey shows.

The Norton Online Living Report, by internet security firm Symantec, looked at the online habits of adults and children in 12 countries.

The survey showed New Zealand adults spent an average 12.7 hours a week online compared to the global average of 23.6 hours.

It also showed New Zealand parents took a more "responsible view" of the internet than most with 78 per cent of surveyed parents saying they had spoken to their children about online safety.

Half of New Zealand parents had also set parental controls on the family computer and 57 per cent said they monitored their children's online usage by either reading their emails or tracking websites they visited.

The global average for both parental controls and active monitoring was 33 per cent.

It was important for parents to speak to their children about the internet and appropriate online behaviour, Symantec consumer business unit for Asia, Pacific and Japan vice-president David Freer said.

"We are seeing signs of positive progress between parents, kids and online safety.

"While children are confident with the technology, they are still developing critical evaluation skills and need our help to make wise decisions," he said.

Seventy-eight per cent of those surveyed read news online and 52 per cent visited retail or e-commerce sites.

Mr Freer said New Zealanders placed a large amount of trust in online banking systems with 91 per cent of online adults banking over the internet.

The survey also looked at texting habits.

"Compared with their global cohorts, New Zealand adults are big texters, averaging three hours per week," he said.

On average adults worldwide spent 2.4 hours texting per week - only China and India surpassed New Zealand with 3.9 and 4 hours respectively.

The Norton Online Living Report surveyed 6427 adults and 2614 children between October 13 and December 5 2008.

- NZPA