The new internet phenomena - wilfing!

Malaysia Sun (ANI) Tuesday 10th April, 2007

London, Apr 10 : If you suddenly lose your train of thought while searching the net and jump from one website to another that catches your attention, then chances are that you are what experts have termed as a 'wilfer'.

However, you are not alone in this phenomena, for a survey for a financial website, has found that almost seven in 10 internet users are keeping you company.

The study of 2,400 people carried out by YouGov found more than a quarter of internet users wilf - a rough acronym of What Was I Looking For? - for two days every month.

Jason Lloyd, from moneysupermarket.com, said that with though people log onto the internet with a specific target in mind, they often get distracted thanks to the barrage of choices being offered on the net, as well as the distractions.

"The internet was designed to make it easier for people to access the information they need quickly and conveniently. Although people log on with a purpose, they are now being offered so much choice and online distraction that many forget what they are there for, and spend hours aimlessly wilfing instead," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

And while wilfing may seem harmless, Lloyd warns that it can affect productivity in the workplace and relationships at home.

"It's important people do not allow unnecessary online distractions to get in the way when surfing the internet, as it can affect productivity in the workplace and relationships at home," he says.

Pete Cohen, GMTV's resident life coach and motivator, seconded Lloyd, and insisted that it takes a mixture of planning and willpower to stop wilfing.

"Stopping yourself wilfing takes a mixture of planning and willpower. These days there are all manner of websites vying for our attention. Internet users need to set themselves a specific surfing goal and time limit to keep on track," Cohen said.

However, it seems that wilfing is more age and gender specific. While internet users aged 55 or over are three times less likely to wilf than those aged under 25, it seems that men, and not women, are more likely to be distracted while surfing the net.