‘More Young Women Going Online’

Growing numbers of young females are using the internet, according to the annual media consumption report from industry regulator Ofcom.

The independent body’s audit reveals the UK’s internet habits and demonstrates that women account for the majority of online users in the 25 to 34 age group.

In addition, the report entitled The Communications Market 2007 states that young females between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most prolific internet users in the UK in terms of time spent online.

Ofcom director of research James Thickett told the Times: “Young women are finally finding content relevant to them on the internet.”

Thickett added that the increase in the number of young women using the internet can be partly attributed to the rapid and recent growth in social networking sites.

However, the proportion of older female users is much lower with men accounting for 79% of so-called silver surfers over the age of 65.

The large study also features data on the growth of broadband, converged media, surfing habits and mobile internet services.

It can be found at the Ofcom website alongside a summary of key findings for the telecoms industry.