The latest NetObserver poll from Novatris and Harris Interactive reveals that the internet habits of those under 25 vary widely from those of their elders.

The survey covered more than 210,000 internet users in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Most notably, more females than males use the Internet among the younger age group; while the reverse was true of those over 25. In the UK, for example, 55 per cent of the internet population under 25 is female, as opposed to just 46 per cent of older users.

Perhaps more expectedly, young people use the Internet more frequently and for longer periods. In the UK, 32 per cent of young users spend three or more hours a day on the web while just 20 per cent of those over 25 admitted to the same figure.

Young people are particularly likely to use communication tools on the web. In the UK, 70 per cent of young people use instant messaging; 32 per cent use some sort of VOIP service and 30 per cent took part in discussion forums. The equivalent figures for older users were 35, 20 and 21 per cent respectively. Consequently, then, it's probably unsurprising that young people are much more likely to use sites and services known as Web 2.0. More than three quarters of young people - 77 per cent - find sites that allow the sharing and publication of users' own information useful. Similarly, 70 per cent like sites which allow them to customise their sites or profiles. Nearly half - 46 percent - regularly listen to internet radio stations.

However, RSS subscriptions are not so well received, being the least popular Web 2.0 feature users were polled about. The researchers conclude that this is because younger users are not so likely to be using the Internet to find and digest information, but rather to network and communicate with friends. Levels of interest in using RSS was roughly equivalent across the age groups, while other Web 2.0 services were more heavily used by younger people.

Young people are less likely to surf for product consumption than their elders, reflecting the fact that they're less likely to own a credit card or, indeed, the means to spend a significant amount of time shopping. This might also reflect less tolerance for advertising. The report states:

Overall 15-24 year olds are less interested by the majority of advertising that they see on the Internet than those aged 25 and over. All the same, fewer young people in comparison to their elders estimate that advertising helps them make better purchasing decisions. They are also less numerous in thinking that advertising helps them find products and services that they search for in comparison to those aged 25 and over.

The report's authors conclude that advertisers might be well advised to tap into young people's interest in communication, self-expression and entertainment in order to communicate with that age group.

FIND OUT MORE: NMK is running a half-day session about Children Online on the 17th April.