The Oxford Internet Institute has released the latest in its two-yearly surveys of Internet access, use and attitudes in Britain.
The OxIS 2013 Report: Cultures of the Internet analyses ten years of Internet access, use and attitudes.
- The use of the Internet is Britain has risen substantially over the last two years, reaching 78% of the population 14 years and over.
- There has been progress on narrowing digital divides with a rise in Internet access for lower income groups, people with no formal educational qualifications, retired people, and individuals with disabilities.
- The beliefs and attitudes of Internet users are diverse, reflecting five broad cultures, the largest of which, the ‘cyber-moderates’, have more tempered views about the value and risks of Internet use than most other groups of users.
- The rise of next generation users, who use multiple devices, one or more of which are mobile, has grown to represent 67% of users.
- Patterns of use have not changed dramatically, but the diffusion of social networking has stabilised at a plateau of 61% of Internet users.
- Use of digital government services has continued to progress, particularly around transactional services, such as renewal of auto mobile licences.
- Use of the Internet and social media tends to complement rather than substitute for traditional forms of communication, but is nevertheless tied to social changes, such as in meeting new people.
- The perceived benefits of Internet use accrue far more to the next generation users, creating a second digital divide beyond mere access to the Internet.
- A majority of users believe that the government should not regulate the Internet more than it does, but there is an increase in the proportion of the public that wants the government to do more to protect children online.
- Digital choice remains a key factor leading many non-users to remain offline, underscoring the value of support of non-users to experience the Internet.
Download the survey here: OxIS 2013 Report: Cultures of the Internet (PDF, 3.5MB)