Internet usage overtakes radio in Philippines

Internet usage has overtaken Filipinos' access to radio and print media, Phil Star says.

The study, dubbed TNS Digital Life 2012, reported that 45% of Filipinos connect to the Internet, 36% listen to the radio, 12% read newspapers, and 4% read magazines.

According to ABS-CBN News, readership of newspapers and magazines dropped substantially in this year's study.

TV viewership, meanwhile, continued to increase, with 89% of the respondents saying they watch TV every day, up from 77% in last year's study.

The study also showed that the majority of Filipinos accessing the Internet were teens and young adults, with 85% of Filipinos aged 16 to 20 accessing the Internet in the past four weeks, and 74% of Filipinos between 21 and 24 accessing the Internet in the same period, Technology Inquirer states.

The study also showed that families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Philippines used the Internet as the primary communication medium at 81%, higher than mobile phones at 77%, and landline telephones at 24%.

Facebook is the primary social networking site used by 90% of families of OFWs to keep in contact with their relatives abroad, the study showed.