Thursday, February 7, 2008

Why Do Adults Use the Internet? -Post #1

Besides writing about what's going on in the entertainment world, I want to touch on the topic of why people use the internet. According to a survey conducted in January 2005, only 65% of American adults use the internet. This is a lower number than I would've imagined. I think in the past two years since the survey was taken, the percentage may have risen. The most popualer internet activity among these internet users are on the web to check their e-mail (90%). E-mail is popular because it is an easy way for people can connect to friends, family, employers, and co-workers. Many adults use e-mail to socializae as well as for work purposes.

The next most popular internet activity with 84% of users, is the use of search engines. Many people go online to Google or Yahoo to search for information. 84% of users also go online to search for maps. Programs such as Map Quest or Yahoo Maps gives detailed directions from point A to point B.

78% of users are online to check the weather, while 73% are there to check the news. Searching the web for a hobby or interests are another reason why 77% of internet users log onto the net. Though 78% of people go on the internet to check out a product and price, only 67% actully buy products online.

On the lower end of internet useage would be for playing lottery (4%) and online dating (9%). This number surprises me because there are always so many commercials for dating websites for match.com and other dating services, that I would've thought more people are online searching for their soulmate!

Only 10% of internet user go onto the web to create and post on a blog. Maybe our marketing class has brought up the percentage since this survey was taken. For a complete chart of why 133 million Americans are logging onto the internet visit this link.

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