Men Embrace Shopping While Women Battle Internet Villains.

Men have become shopping-crazed and women are joining the online game revolution. It’s no April Fool’s joke. A recent AT&T Broadband survey reveals some new trends and uses of high-speed Internet by men and women.

According to the survey, more men than women expressed interest in shopping online — by a considerable margin of 58 to 42 percent of survey participants. In another unexpected response, women expressed interest in playing online games with someone in another city more than men, by a narrow 51 to 49 percent margin.

While men and women responded similarly, the information revealed a trend towards women wanting broadband-enhanced applications while men want more traditional Internet activities.

Of the polled respondents, more women than men are interested in sending electronic cards, downloading music and sending a photo via email. On the flip side, more men than women are interested in reading news reports, conducting product research and using online dating services.

When respondents’ answers were paired with the results of a recent Nielsen//NetRatings* survey, the trends appeared consistent. The total population of home Internet users in the United States grew by six percent this past year, but the number of women online increased by nine percent while men online increased by just 3 percent. Women now account for 52 percent of home Internet users.

“As people get comfortable with email and browsing the Web, they often step up to the next level of Internet activity like playing online games or downloading music,” said Darrel Hegar, vice president of Internet services at AT&T Broadband. “The trends we’re seeing in women, with their increased interest in Internet activities like downloading music and playing online games, are indicative of technology adoption and a change in behaviors.”