Almost three out of every four adults in Britain use the internet daily, according to newly released official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 73% of adults, some 36 million, have logged on in 2013 so far.
The figure was more than double the 35% recorded in 2006, when comparable records began, the ONS said.
It added that for the first time the majority of adults read newspapers online (55%), which was up from 47% in 2012.
An ONS spokesman told Sky News: "Over half of all adults used the Internet to read or download the news or newspapers in 2013, compared to only a fifth in 2007.
"Those aged 25 to 34 were most likely to read or download news online."
It said 43% of adults went online to research health information and more than one in five ordered groceries online.
The data on usage was extrapolated from behaviour patterns between January and March this year.
The ONS said in the 16-24 age group some 93% of people used social media in the period, while in the 25-34 age group 92% of people bought goods or services online.
The figures also show the level of penetration into homes made by home broadband.
Less than 1% of households now access the internet using a dial-up modem, down from 31% in 2006.
However, 42% of households now access the web using a cable or fibre connection, up from 30% last year.
The ONS figures also revealed that technology is being grasped by people aged over 65.
Just over 9% reported using a computer every day in 2006, but by 2013 the figure had climbed to 37%.
One charity is encouraged by increased internet usage by older citizens but warned about the shift of information online.
"We know that there are still millions of older people, particularly those aged 75 and over, who have never used the internet," Age UK director general Michelle Mitchell said.
"Older people are also less likely to use Government websites than younger people.
"In the context of the Government and businesses directing people to use their services online, it is important that ongoing training and support are available for the 5 million people aged 65 and over who have never been online, as well as for those who are online but who may need additional help to undertake certain activities."
Meanwhile, there has been an apparent levelling of mobile phone to access the internet - in 2010, 24% of adults accessed the internet by mobile.
The ONS spokesman said: "The most popular device used to access the Internet 'on the go' was a mobile phone, with over half of all adults accessing the Internet this way.
"However, the rate of growth has slowed recently, from 51% in 2012 to 53% in 2013."