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Date: | Sun, 24 Sep 2000 11:40:59 -0500 |
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Chicago Sun Times
Most adults shun Net, study finds
September 22, 2000
BY LANCE GAY
More than half of American adults aren't interested in going on the
Internet, and most of them have no plans to log on, according to a
survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
The survey examined why more than 94 million Americans aren't using
the Internet. The survey found a solid core of 31 million--many of
them baby boomers and elderly people--who say they're never going to
use it.
The survey also uncovered a generation of younger Internet dropouts.
About 12 million--or about 13 percent of Internet non-users--once had
access to the Internet through work or home but have lost it because
of the expense, lack of interest, or concerns over loss of privacy
from surfing the Net.
Survey directors say the results indicate it's going to take at least
another generation before Internet access becomes as common as the
telephone, in 94 percent of American homes, and television sets, 98
percent.
Lee Rainey, director of the project, said the results of the survey
contrast with industry surveys forecasting continued rapid growth of
Internet use.
He said worries about the loss of privacy and the difficulties of
using technology will slow down Internet use.
"There's the widespread impression left by those cheerleading for the
Internet that the unbelievable and unbridled growth is endless," he
said. "But there has not been this instant penetration of society, and
there's still a sizable population that says they don't want it."
The Pew findings fly in the face of several other recent studies that
show elderly people are the fastest-growing group of Internet users.
On the Web: www.pewinternet.orgScripps Howard News Service
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