Web withdrawal? Don't get discomgoogolated

Feeling stressed or anxious at an inability to access the internet? Don't worry, you're not alone and now there's a word for it: "discomgoogolation".

Nearly half of Britons – 44 per cent – are discomgoogolation sufferers, according to a survey, with over a quarter – 27 per cent – admitting to rising stress levels when they are unable to go online.

"The proliferation of broadband has meant for the first time in history we've entered a culture of 'instant answers,'" said psychologist Dr David Lewis, who identified discomgoogolation by measuring heart rates and brainwave activity.

The term comes from "discombobulate," which means to confuse or frustrate, and Google.

"A galaxy of information is just a mouse click away and we have become addicted to the web," added Lewis. "When unable to get online, discomgoogolation takes over.

"It was surprising to see the stress this led to brain activity and blood pressure in participants both increase in response to being cut off from the internet."

The survey also found 76 per cent of Britons could not live without the internet, with over half of the population using the web between one and four hours a day and 19 per cent of people spending more time online than with their family in a week.

Forty-seven per cent of those polled believed the internet was more important in people's lives than religion, with one in five people paying the internet more attention than their partner.

Commissioned by information service 118118, the YouGov poll questioned 2,100 Britons during the first week of July.