The Internet and the Pandemic
Nine-in-ten Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them, many made video calls and 40% used technology in new ways. But while tech was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Nine-in-ten Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them, many made video calls and 40% used technology in new ways. But while tech was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles.
Some 15% of all home broadband users in the U.S. say they have had trouble paying for their high-speed internet service during the pandemic.
Experts are split about the likely evolution of a truly immersive “metaverse.” They expect that augmented- and mixed-reality enhancements will become more useful in people’s daily lives. Many worry that current online problems may be magnified if Web3 development is led by those who built today’s dominant web platforms.
The share of U.S. adults who now report that they go online “almost constantly” has risen to 31%, up from 21% in 2015.
Some 16% of Americans have ever earned money from an online gig platform. While most gig platform workers say they have had a positive experience with these jobs, some report facing on-the-job troubles like being treated rudely or sexually harassed.
Some of Americans’ pandemic adaptations have relied on technology, including adults working from home and students learning online.
The share of Americans who say they watch television via cable or satellite has plunged from 76% in 2015 to 56% this year.
Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason.
As news outlets morph and multiply, both surveys and passive data collection tools face challenges.
A median of 77% across 34 countries surveyed use the internet at least occasionally or own an internet-enabled smartphone.
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