Americans Researching the Recession Also Look for Digital Diversions
Most Americans who have turned to online sources for economic information have also used the internet to take their minds off of their financial troubles, especially younger online economic users.
Civic Engagement Online: Politics as Usual
The internet is not changing the character of civic engagement, as participation remains the domain of those with high levels of income and education. However, there are hints that forms of civic engagement anchored in blogs and social networking sites could alter long-standing patterns.
More and More Teens on Cell Phones
Significantly behind just a few years ago, teens are quickly catching up to adults in cell phone ownership. Few demographic differences exist among teens in use, with one exception: age. A sharp increase in ownership occurs at age 14, right at the transition from middle to high school.
Your Other Tube: Audience for Video-Sharing Sites Soars
The number of online adults who say they have visited an online-video site has nearly doubled since 2006, and outpaces other online pastimes such as social networking, downloading podcasts and tweeting. Watching video on sites such as YouTube is near-universal among young adults.
America Unwired
Accessing the internet is now a multiplatform affair with 56% of all Americans having accessed the internet by wireless means.
Recession Dot Net
More than two-thirds of Americans have logged on to the internet looking for financial information. Of these “online economic users” most are looking for good deals and job opportunities. More said that what they learned on the internet made them more anxious than said they were made more confident.
Home Broadband Adoption 2009
Strong growth among senior citizens and rural residents has pushed the number of Americans with high-speed internet connections to 63%, up from 55% in 2008. But African Americans experienced their second consecutive year of below-average broadband adoption growth.
The Shared Search for Health Information on the Internet
While most Americans still turn to a doctor for health information, a growing number research and discuss medical issues on the internet. Fully 61% have gone online for health info — up from 25% in 2000 — and most report positive experiences. More adults are turning to the internet for fitness and exercise information as well.
Online Classifieds Climb
The number of online adults to use classified ad websites, such as Craigslist, more than doubled from 2005 to 2009 devastating a key revenue source for traditional newspapers
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The Internet’s Role in Campaign 2008
Three-quarters (74%) of internet users went online during the 2008 election to take part in, or get news and information about the 2008 campaign. This represents 55% of the entire U.S. adult population.
