Mapping the Wired Majority
Digital Citizen 2000 was conducted during the height of the presidential primary season in mid-February via telephone interviews with a nationwide, randomly selected sample of 815 American adults. Participants were first asked to rank the importance of various technologies in their daily lives. They were also asked to rank their mastery of commonly used software programs.
Based on those responses, researchers divided the sample into three groups: the "very wired" (31 percent), the "somewhat wired" (46 percent), and the "not wired" (23 percent).
We defined the "very wired" as people who use four or more of the following technologies: the Internet, a cellular or wireless phone, a computer, fax, email, online banking or investing, and online shopping. The "somewhat wired" use one of the targeted technologies - most often mobile phones. The "not wired" respondents do not identify any single piece of technology as playing an "important part" in their lives.
Overall, we were struck by the high technological literacy of our polling sample. The measurements used this time were slightly different from Wired's first Digital Citizen survey, done in December 1997, but it's still evident that use of personal tech has ramped up. Back then, only 2 percent of our sample qualified as "superconnected," meaning they exchanged email at least three times a week and used a laptop, cell phone, beeper, and home computer. Another 7 percent were "connected," meaning they used email along with three of four targeted technologies, and 62 percent were "semiconnected": They used email and at least one of the target technologies, most often a cell phone.
Broken down further, the findings in the new survey show a clear link among age, educational level, and comfort with digital tools. Nearly everyone in the "very wired" category, 96 percent, said they use the Internet at home, work, or school. They spend a median of five hours a week online (not counting email). The majority of the "very wired" shop online (62 percent) and say they would vote online if they could (67 percent). Seventy percent say they have "more than a basic understanding" of personal computer software. The "very wired" are the most highly educated group in the sample and have the highest median household income: $57,000. Their median age is 38.
Among the "somewhat wired," 57 percent use the Internet, spending three hours a week online. Only about a quarter of them shop online, and 42 percent say they would vote online if they could. They are less educated than the "very wired" - 31 percent are college graduates, compared with 45 percent - and they have a median household income of $45,000. Their median age is 44.
Only about 20 percent of the "not wired" group uses the Internet at home, work, or school. They spend less than two hours a week online. Only 5 percent shop online, and 26 percent say they would vote online if they could. They are less educated - 17 percent are college graduates - and they earn far less than the other groups, at a median household income of $29,000. Their median age is 56.
Has technology made life better or worse?
Your life Society Much better 36% 34% Somewhat better 43% 42% Somewhat worse 2% 10% Much worse 2% 5%
How do you feel about these areas of scientific research?
Excited Cautiously positive Uncomfortable Opposed Buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet 24% 41% 14% 16% Genetic engineering in humans to prevent the onset of inherited genetic diseases 22% 39% 18% 18% Cloning of organs for replacement purposes 19% 35% 18% 25% Genetically modified foods resistant to pests and diseases 14% 28% 22% 22% Online voting for elections 19% 29% 13% 34% Human cloning 2% 7% 13% 76%
Which forms of personal technology do you use most?
A cellular or wireless phone 45% A computer 43% 37% The Internet 31% Fax 25% Online banking or investing 12% Online shopping 11% None of the above 23%
How has technology affected areas that are of specific concern to you?
Positive impact Little effect either way Negative impact Communications 90% 4% 4% Medicine and health care 88% 5% 5% Education 83% 8% 7% The environment 60% 15% 19% The political system 39% 34% 18%
Whom do you trust most to make decisions about technology issues?
Elected officials 16% CEOs of technology companies 63%
Which Internet issues should political leaders focus on?
All adults Internet users Keeping children away from adult or other damaging content on the Internet 46% 43% Ensuring the security of personal information on the Internet 39% 43% Expanding the use of the Internet in schools 18% 20% Working to provide Internet access to Americans who could otherwise not afford it 14% 17% Increasing research and development to improve Internet technology 12% 14% Preventing undue censorship of the Internet 10% 11%
Would you vote online if you could?
Very wired Somewhat wired Not wired Always 41% 25% 15% Sometimes 22% 17% 11% No 31% 50% 62%
To what extent should government be involved in regulating or futher developing the Internet?
Government should be proactive 30% Government should let the Internet develop on its own 61%
What do you like least about the Internet?
All adults Internet users A security risk to your personal information 45% 43% Overhyped 15% 19% Unavailable to me 11% 3% Expensive to use 10% 9% Difficult to navigate 9% 11% Impersonal and cold 8% 10% Unstable and unreliable 4% 4% None of the above 15% 21%
Are you worried about the security of your personal data when you shop or trade online?
Very wired Somewhat wired Not wired Not worried 6% 3% 4% Somewhat concerned 56% 29% 11% Very concerned 37% 63% 68%
Should Internet sales be taxed?
All adults Internet users Yes 49% 41% No 43% 52%
In 10 years, will Internet access be as common as the telephone in US households?
Yes 88% No 10%
*All charts represent responses from total sample of 815 American adults.
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