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Most people are familiar with the ubiquity of computers in the work and home environment as tools for productivity or as rich information appliances. However, a recent BURST! study that surveyed 13,000 people, 14 years of age and older, demonstrated the computer’s growing role as a key entertainment appliance also. According to the press release from BURST!, “Entertainment that used to be accessed on separate appliances is increasingly being played on the computer.” Here are some numbers from the study in the younger demographic groups (under 24 years of age):

• 39.1% say the Internet is the primary way they listen to music - and another 9.3% say it will be in the future
• 31.2% say the Internet is the primary way they play games - and another 11.6% say it will be in the future
• 53.3% say they use the Internet to watch movies and other video programming, v. 27.6% of all other age groups
• 76.5% say they listen to music over the Internet
• 65.4% say they play Internet games

The figures were higher in all these categories for homes that had broadband (DSL or Cable) connections.

All this doesn’t seem surprising if you consider that among internet users, the average amount of time online each day (3 hours) now eclipses the average daily time watching television (1.7 hours). The source for this information is the Stanford Center For The Quantitative Study of Society (December 2004).

Television, the radio, stereo systems, and electronic gaming appliances have been, and will continue to be, important means to access entertainment options in American homes. However, the computer and The Web are rapidly gaining as a key entertainment device and aggregator of entertainment options for younger demographics.