A survey of 7,000 people has revealed that younger Europeans are switching off the TV to be in front of their internet screens.

The survey conducted by the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA) showed that the Internet rated higher than television did among 16- to 24-year-olds.

More than 82 percent of those surveyed said they go online between five and seven days a week. Only 77 percent  reported they watch television that often, a five-percent decrease from last year. Nearly half said that their TV consumption had dropped as a result of the Internet.

The average amount of time spent online in the EU was 11.9 hours a week. Italians were online the most with 13.6 hours, followed by Sweden at 13. The Netherlands came in last at 9.8 hours.