A new report that highlights differences in how women and men use the internet suggests that women are less active overall online, yet more religious, while men surf sports and weather. Somehow, the report seems to skip over any mention of porn. Conducted by Washington-based research group Pew, the study also found that more black women than black men are plugged in.

Excerpts from Pew's Internet & American Life Project:

Women are more likely to use email, get maps and directions, look for health and medical information, use web sites to get support for health or personal problems, and find religious information. Women prefer online communication so they use email more intensely. Women use email to communicate on a wider range of topics than men. While women write to friends, men are more likely to write to various organizations.

Men are more likely to use the Internet as a source of recreation. They are more likely to pursue their hobbies online, read for pleasure, and participate in sports fantasy leagues.

Race and age skew some of the gender-based stats:

More black women are online (60 percent) than black men (50 percent). Women age 18 to 29 post some of the highest online percentages at 86 percent. Their male counterparts lag behind at 80 percent.

News writers on the Pew report:
The International Herald Tribune talks to a few experts on the matter. Link.
The AP weighs in. Link.
Red Herring too. Link.
Newsday.com wins funny headline award with "Even on Net, fewer men seek directions." Link.
The full report is available as a PDF on the Pew site. Link.

Photo by trudi.