Cornelia Carter-Sykes, Manager, Pew Internet, Pew Research Center (202-419-4513), sent a message to colleagues that The Pew Internet & American Life Project has recently released two new Reports. The Pew Internet & American Life Project is a non-profit initiative of the Pew Research Center, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts to explore the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, health care, schools, the work place, and civic/political life. The Project is non-partisan and does not advocate for any policy outcomes.
From a public relations perspective, I believe these PEW findings are very enlightening for the professional continuing to or intending to use the internet as a PR tool.
The first report is: “The Internet’s Growing Role in Life’s Major Moments – April 19, 2006.” Cornelia’s note reads: “Our surveys show that 45 percent of internet users, or about 60 million Americans, say that the internet helped them make big decisions or negotiate their way through major episodes in their lives in the previous two years.”
Read the full report.
Data Memo: Internet Penetration and Impact – April 26, 2006
Cornelia added: “Over time, internet users have become more likely to note big improvements in their ability to shop and the way they pursue their hobbies and interests. A majority of internet users also consistently report that the internet helps them to do their job and improves the way the get information about health care.”
She continued: “While the share of internet users who report positive impacts has grown, the sheer size of the internet population also continues to increase. Surveys fielded in 2006 show that internet penetration among adults in the U.S. has hit an all-time high. While the percentage of Americans who say they use the internet has continued to fluctuate slightly, our latest survey, fielded February 15 – April 6, 2006 shows that fully 73% of respondents (about 147 million adults) are internet users, up from 66% (about 133 million adults) in our January 2005 survey. And the share of Americans who have broadband connections at home has now reached 42% (about 84 million), up from 29% (about 59 million) in January 2005.”
Read the full memo.
