A new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project has revealed that the length of time spent online by different sections of the internet varies greatly.
The Project asked 1,081 Internet users whether they were currently using the Internet more or less than they were six months earlier. 54% said they were using the Internet the same amount of time, 29% said they were using the Internet more and 17% said they were using it less.
“There are more people online on any given day now than there were last year,” says Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. “The reasons for their increased Internet use are very straightforward: The Web is an increasingly important tool for work and school. Email and instant messaging are ever-more-valuable ways to stay in touch with family and friends. And many are spending more time online exploring new activities that help them entertain themselves or pursue their interests.”
Reasons why people claimed to be using it less include: They are less interested in doing things online, they have less time to spend online, they are no longer required to use the Internet at work or school, or they have lost access to their computer or Internet connection.
“All the troubles of the dot-com economy have led some to believe that the Internet is a passing fad – the 21st Century version of CB radios or 8-track stereos,” says Susannah Fox, director of research at the Pew Internet & American Life Project. “For some users that is undeniably the case. They donÂ’t find Internet tools are very useful. But many online Americans are using the Internet more now as they incorporate Internet activities more deeply into their lives.”
