Lee Rainie

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.

About half the experts we canvassed predict humans' use of technology will weaken democracy by 2030, while a third expect technology will strengthen it as reformers fight back against democracy's foes.

As ownership of mobile phones, especially smartphones, spreads rapidly across the globe, there are still notable numbers of people in emerging economies who don't have access to mobile phones. And even phone owners struggle with connectivity, costs and security issues.

A majority of Americans are concerned about digital collection and use of their data by both companies and the government.

Majorities of U.S. adults believe their personal data is less secure now, that data collection poses more risks than benefits, and that it is not possible to go through daily life without being tracked.

Fifty years after the first computer network was connected, most experts say digital life will mostly change things for the better in coming decades. But they say this will require reforms toward better cooperation and security, basic rights and economic fairness.

The more confident people are that members of powerful groups behave unethically, the less likely they are to have confidence in that group’s performance.

Members of Congress and technology leaders are rated lower in empathy, transparency and ethics; public gives higher scores to military leaders, public school principals and police officers

Americans say the public’s trust has been declining in both the federal government and in their fellow citizens. But most say this can be turned around.

Many Americans think declining trust in the government and in each other makes it harder to solve key problems. They have a wealth of ideas about what’s gone wrong and how to fix it.