Studies Find Rise In Internet Use And Related Fears

Recent reports have found that computer and Internet use are up, but so are related concerns regarding identity theft and other potential dangers. A recent report released by the Census Bureau, which was based on data collected from a 2003 population survey, found that 55% of Americans have Internet access at home. This is more than triple the amount from 1997.

Though the report is based on dated data, it clearly shows that computer usage in the U.S. is evolving. Further, it’s likely that the amount of Americans with at-home Internet access is currently higher. Internet usage appears lowest among adults who have not graduated from high school, increasing with income, education, and the presence of school-age children. Home computer use among school-age children mostly involves playing games and doing homework. For adults, the home computer is mostly used for e-mail, researching information about services and products, and reading news, sports and weather information.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project also released a report this year which found that 68% of American adults use the Internet, representing a 63% increase from the previous year, and that 22% of American adults have never used the Internet. The study also fund that Internet usage was most common among young adults and least common among those aged 70 and older.

Along with the increase in Internet usage is the rising fear of identity theft and other online dangers. Consumer Reports Webwatch recently released the results of a survey which found that 86% of computer users have been concerned enough about identity theft to change their online behavior in some way. More than 50% of those polled have stopped providing personal information over the Internet and 25% have stopped making purchases online altogether.