Internet is top essential, beating showers and TV

The internet has topped a list of modern-day essentials people say they cannot do without.

A bath or shower, and a television came second and third on the list, leaving comforts such as a daily coffee and make-up further down.

Just under half of those polled (48%) in the British survey said they could comfortably go longer without seeing their family than using the internet. One in eight (12%) admitted they could forego food longer than they could go without social media sites.

Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line Home Insurance, which commissioned the research, said technology now dominated most people’s essential daily uses.

“What we deem to be essential is an extremely personal choice, and something that varies between individuals. For the average person, technology now dominates their list of essential daily comforts, perhaps because we are so reliant upon these items and enjoy the luxury of being connected.”

Psychotherapist Christine Webber said: “The ability to check facts and find information, as well as be in touch via social media with friends and family wherever they are in the world, has become our number one essential for 21st century living.”

The research was conducted online by Opinium Research among 2003 British adults.