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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