Demonstrating the role of the network in our lives, the second annual Cisco Connected World Technology Report revealed that one in three college students and young professionals consider the Internet to be as important as fundamental human resources like air, water, food and shelter. Also, half of the study’s respondents admitted Internet to be an integral part of their lives – in some cases even more integral than cars, dating, and partying.

The findings of second annual Cisco Connected World Technology Report are based on surveys of college students and professionals up to the age of 30 in 14 countries. As per the report, four of every five college student and young employees believe the Internet is vitally important and part of their daily life’s sustenance. Interestingly, about two of three (64 percent) said they would choose the Internet connection instead of a car, if forced to make a choice.

Whereas previous generations preferred socializing in person, the next generation is indicating a shift toward online interaction. More than one in four college students globally (27 percent) said staying updated on Facebook is more important than partying, dating, listening to music, or hanging out with friends.

Mahesh Gupta, Vice President, Borderless Networks, Cisco India and SAARC, said, “Internet is no longer ‘good to have,’ it is now a ‘must have.’ There is a conscious need to be connected at all times from all locations, accelerated by the growth of social media and smart mobile devices which provide easy access to the Internet.”

As per the report, two-thirds of students and more than half of employees (58 percent) cite a mobile device (laptop, smartphone, tablet) as “the most important technology in their lives.” For young employees, India came second globally when it comes to the importance of mobile device usage (71 percent), behind the U.K. (74 percent), but ahead of Australia (66 percent), China (62 percent), and the U.S. (62 percent).

Marie Hattar, Vice President, Borderless Networks, Cisco, said, “The results should make businesses re-examine how they need to evolve in order to attract talent and shape their business models. CIOs need to plan and scale their networks now to address the security and mobility demands that the next generation workforce will put on their infrastructure.”