Most Americans rely on their own research to make big decisions, and that often means online searches
A big majority (81%) of Americans say they rely a lot on their own research – more than say they rely a lot on friends and family or experts.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
A big majority (81%) of Americans say they rely a lot on their own research – more than say they rely a lot on friends and family or experts.
Many experts say digital life will continue to expand people’s boundaries and opportunities. Yet nearly a third think that people’s overall well-being will be more harmed than helped in coming years.
The trends in Americans’ views of social media tell a complex story. Read about the dynamics of Americans’ feelings toward social media.
Experts are split on whether the coming years will see less misinformation online. Those who foresee improvement hope for technological and societal solutions. Others say bad actors using technology can exploit human vulnerabilities.
Despite broad concerns about cyberattacks, outages and privacy violations, most experts believe the Internet of Things will continue to expand successfully the next few years.
Many experts say lack of trust won’t hinder increased public reliance on the internet. Some expect trust to grow as tech and regulatory changes arise; others think it will worsen or maybe change entirely.
Many experts fear uncivil and manipulative behaviors on the internet will persist – and may get worse.
Experts foresee changes across all aspects of life as digital connectivity advances. They predict hyper-personalized interactions, 3D holograms, immersive virtual reality and a deepening dependency upon machines as we navigate our lives.
While many see promise in the future of data analysis, some fear that work with gigantic stores of information could lead to privacy abuses and mistaken forecasts
In a Pew Internet/Elon University survey, internet experts predict that payment with mobile devices will be commonplace by 2020, although a number of potential hurdles and holdouts stand in the way
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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
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