January 1, 2003
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| Most Americans expect to find what they are looking for online |
The growing ranks of experienced Internet users as well as the deepening reach of the Internet into all aspects of American culture has raised all Americans’ expectations about what is available online.
New research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project finds that most Internet users (80 percent) and many non-users (about 40 percent) expect that they will be able to find reliable information online when it comes to news, health care information, e-commerce, and government.
A large share of Internet users now say that they will turn first to the Internet when they next need information about health care or government services. They also say it matters to them that stores have a Web presence.
“In the past year or so, the Internet has turned into America’s go-to tool,” said Senior Research Specialist John Horrigan of the Pew Internet Project. “Americans prefer logging on agency Web sites to dealing with government personnel. They expect they’ll find the news they need. Many say it makes a difference in their shopping and, most surprising of all, many find it more useful than their doctors when they begin researching health issues.”
These high expectations have been spawned by several trends, Horrigan writes in a new report called “Counting on the Internet.” First, two-thirds of U.S. Internet users have more than three years experience online and that helps them become adept at finding the information and services they like. Second, Web site operators have built billions of Web pages and become better at giving Americans what they want in the form they want it. Third, search tools have become more powerful so people can locate the information they want.
At the same time, the high hopes for the online world are tempered when it comes to personal information. Only 31 percent of Americans expect to be able to find reliable information about someone online; 35 percent of Internet users say this and 25 percent of non-users say this. However, 58 percent of Internet users say they expect to be able to reach someone via email.
“The message of this survey is that the Internet is the norm now in America,” said Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. “Most expect to find key information online, most find the information they seek, and many say they turn to the Internet first when they have a pressing need.”
Visit www.pewinternet.org. PR
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