# Facebooking On The Job Causes $5B Loss Downunder By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-08-21 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ozzies-facebook-fascination-could-cost-companies-5b References: [abc.net.au](http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/20/2009716.htm?section=entertainment) & [news.yahoo](http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/australia_facebook1_dc_ylt=AoWV9fIU7DOh46Zm2aqVxdUWr7sF) [Social networking addictions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unplughero) are getting in the way for a growing number of Australians. In order to keep up with their [Facebook](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-facebook-metaverse) contacts, Aussies are spending [countless business hours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timeworth) on keeping up their online activities. Virtual communications are gobbling up so much of the 9-5 workday that its costing companies downunder an estimated A$5 billion ($4 billion) a year. "We looked at a typical Facebook user's online time, which is about an hour a day. Some people use much more than an hour a day," said Dr. Richard Cullen of SurfControl. The company looked at the average weekly wage and the number of companies in Australia to calculate the the hefty figure. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 66% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Social Networking Addictions:** Opportunity to develop innovative solutions to help individuals manage and reduce their social networking addictions. - **Virtual Communications:** Disruptive innovation opportunity to create more efficient and productive virtual communication platforms for business professionals. - **Workplace Productivity:** Opportunity to develop tools and strategies that enhance workplace productivity and minimize distractions caused by social media. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Technology:** The technology industry can explore creating software and applications that promote responsible social media usage and improve productivity for businesses. - **Human Resources:** Human resources industry has an opportunity to develop policies and initiatives that address social networking addictions in the workplace and help employees find a healthier work-life balance. - **Education and Training:** Education and training industry can provide workshops and resources to educate employees on the importance of managing online activities and optimizing workplace productivity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Addiction-Conscious Social Media Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betimeful.md) - [Distraction-Minimizing Work Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/focus-firewall.md) - [Social Media Blockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antisocial.md) - [Social Media Metaverse Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-facebook-metaverse.md) - [Slacking Support Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/office-slacker.md) - [Anti-Productivity Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quiet-quitter.md) - [Digital Wellness Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/focuspledge.md) - [Browsing Productivity Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/browser-time.md) - [Anti-Distraction Workplace Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/busy-bar.md)