According to the 2007 Ofcom Communication Market report men still make up the bulk majority of the internet users but on average women are spending more time than men online.
- Women are spending 29 hours, nine minutes per month online
- Men spend 28 hours, 51 minutes.
This time disparity most likely has to do with the ways in which men and women use the internet. Women spend more time communicating with friends and family through email and using social networking sites. Men spend more time on quick tasks like checking sports scores or new articles. The social online activities that are more popular with women take up more time in general.
There are more young women online then men!
The report also shows that there are more women ages 25 - 34 online than men in the same age group. This is the first time a report has actually shown women outnumbering men in a significant age group.
- 2.18 million women in the 25 to 34 age group used the internet during April 2007 - compared to 1.83 million men in the same age group
This is pretty major thing for web developers, designers and entreprenuers to consider when trying to market their new 2.0 sites or improve curent sites. Not only are there more 25-34 year old women online then men but they are also spending more minutes per months using these websites. What designs implementations are being incorporated to serve this population?
However, “women play minor roles in many high-tech occupations. For instance, women make up only 5 percent of computer programmers, 10 percent of system analysts and 10 percent of electronics technicians. Additionally, women lead only 5 to 6 percent of major high-tech companies in Silicon Valley(US Office of Technology Policy).” I’d love to hear your opinions!
So here it comes - I”m going to say it: If there are more young women online then men why aren’t there more young women building web sites and being included in the boy’s club of web 2.0.!!??
