A recent study done by Nielsen and CommerceNet found that about 70 million Americans over 16 are using the Internet.The survey was based on telephone interviews with over 4 000 people.
The $70 million figure represents an increase of more than 18 million over a span of nine months.The survey was conducted in June 1998.A previous study was done in September 1997.
The study also estimated that about 44 million Americans have made purchases or compared products on the Internet.
Broken up by gender, about 40.1 million American men use the Internet, compared to 30.1 million women.The survey revealed that the latest growth rates between men and women were about the same.
The largest increases in Internet use were found among black Americans, Native Americans, young adults and women over 50.
About 5.6 million blacks use the Internet, which represents an increase of 53 per cent from nine months earlier.
The report estimated that about 868 000 Native Americans were online, representing an increase of 70 per cent from September's findings.
Results also showed gains of 46 per cent among young people aged 16 to 24 and gains of 50 per cent in women over 50 online.
Source:Nielsen Media Research and CommerceNet, August 26, 1998.
