Bahrain is fast turning into a "smart" society as majority of its residents are going hi-tech, shopping and accessing government services online, according to the survey by the Industry and Commerce Ministry.

The study, which aims to gain an insight into emerging trends in Bahrain, found that every family also now owns at least four smart technology gadgets, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The survey, which targeted more than 700 parents and students across 26 government schools, included laptops, iPods, tablet computers and smartphones in the category of smart technology gadgets.

A substantial 78 per cent also said they preferred e-learning techniques to traditional teacher-based education, said the study.

More than 47 per cent of the respondents access the Internet to benefit from the government's online services, book air tickets or pay their bills, according to the survey.

Meanwhile, 36 per cent of the participants in the survey said that they use the Internet to buy electronic devices, books, clothes and other miscellaneous accessories.

The survey revealed that up to 50 per cent of the participants use social media, particularly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

An alarming proportion of 90 per cent of Internet users admitted sending personal data to strangers despite 70 per cent saying that they trust online transactions.

The eighth edition of the ministry's survey was held this year under the slogan "E-Commerce ... Today's Channel for Future Society".

A sample of 282 students, teachers and parents attended a lecture on the challenges of Internet security, before the survey.-TradeArabia News Service