Bitkom said 1,000 people had taken part in the (survey), and one in two people said they had made new friends thanks to chat forums and Internet (communities). Around 8 percent said they had found a new partner thanks to online relations.
"The Web creates real relationships and (does) not result in autism and dehumanization," said Scheer, who admitted he gets nervous when he does not have Internet (access) while on vacation.
Still, Scheer said, there was a digital divide in Germany that needed to be bridged. "There's a gap and it's not with 30-year-olds or 40-year-olds it's (with) those 50 years of age and above," Scheer said.
The way people in their 40s and those in their 20s used the Web did not (differ) much, Scheer said, but the difference to someone in their mid-fifties was (significant). "One of the main challenges in society today is to ensure that all age groups are up to par when it comes to the (Internet)."
Questions)
1. How does internet change your life?
2. What do you like doing online?
