If there was ever a process designed specifically to distract us, it would be the internet.  The links, side ads, and animations are all designed to pull our attention in different directions.

However in addition to what is pulling you within a web page, internet sites are challenged by the many users who are also multitasking with other devices while they are surfing.

A GfK Roper survey of September/October 2008, “Media, Advertising, and Consumers.” shows how many outside activities are competing with the internet’s efforts to draw us in:

·         59% listen to music

·         59% talk on the phone

·         48% have a snack

·         45% eat a meal

·         32% listen to the radio

·         28% do home clerical work

·         21% do office work

·         17% are cooking

·         8% read a newspaper

·         8% read a magazine

·         7% read a book

·         7% exercise

·         4% play a board game

A plus in all this is that you might not be consumed by internet surfing.  A negative is that this constant multitasking is creating a situation where we have trouble focusing on anything for more than a few minutes.  This is definitely not the best of time techniques.  Productivity suffers.  Even when we have set aside a time to work, we distract ourselves because we are used to this “entertainment.”  Are we ‘twittering’ away our time?