A study by the University of California in Los Angeles has shown that Americans are generally quite comfortable with the Internet, especially in terms of its social and educational merits. Typical concerns about the Internet, such as anti-social behaviour and distraction from schoolwork, were not important, according to the 2,096 Internet users and nonusers who were surveyed. One area of importance, however, was privacy, as about two-thirds acknowledged the risk to one's personal information when going online. The report, entitled "Surveying the Digital future," included the following findings:
Internet use:
Nearly 70 (66.9) per cent of Americans use the Internet.
Just over half (54.6 per cent) use e-mail.
Online shopping is used by 51.7 per cent of those surveyed.
Education:
Percentage of Internet users with college degrees: 86.3 per cent
Those with only some college experience: 70.2 per cent
High-school diploma: 53.1 per cent
Less than high-school: 31.2 per cent
Children:
The majority (78.7 per cent) of adults say children in their households spend an appropriate amount of time online.
Just over 11 (11.2) per cent say children spend too much time online.
Ten per cent say children spend too little time online.
Over two-thirds (70.5 per cent) of adults say the grades of children who use the Internet stay the same.
A little more than a quarter (26.2 per cent) say grades improve.
Three (3.3) per cent say grades decline.
Top five Internet activities:
Web surfing or browsing, 81.7 per cent.
E-mail, 81.6 per cent.
Finding hobby information, 57.2 per cent.
Reading news, 56.6 per cent.
Finding entertainment information, 54.3 per cent.
Social interaction:
Internet users who say they never feel ignored by another household member spending time online: 75.3 per cent
Almost 20 (18.4) per cent say they feel ignored sometimes
