“We have seen that the internet can become addictive, some of the most engaged are those people in markets where internet access has been limited – as soon as the infrastructure becomes available people make the most of it,” said TNS chief development officer Matthew Froggatt.
The global survey’s findings show that advances in infrastructure open up the markets for newcomers to the internet to realise the potential to expand their world and the opportunities available to them.
When asked if the internet helped to improve their self-confidence, just 12% of those online in France and Germany agreed, compared to 42% of internet users in China, 52% in India and 55% in Vietnam.
“In South Africa 47% told us the internet helped to improve their self confidence. This peaks in Saudi Arabia where almost four out of five internet users [79%] feel more confident online,” TNS said.