Shock survey result: IM users like to flirt

Research carried out by MSN sites in 13 markets worldwide - including eight European countries and covering nearly 50,000 people - has revealed that sex is on the mind of most male users of instant messaging (IM).

More than two in five respondents said they have used web-based IM services to set up dates, while three in five have used it to find out more about people they might like to date.

The poll found that more men than women use IM for sending photos, discussing work and chatting up possible dates, while more women than men use IM for keeping in touch with family.

Frequent IM users also turned out to be the happiest of all groups of users, with 41 per cent classifying themselves as 'very happy', and a quarter considering themselves 'very attractive'.

Brooke Richardson, lead product manager for MSN, said in a statement: "Dating may have not been in the original product plan, but it's no surprise that IM is a great way to bond online with family and friends."