Safe Internet Alliance

Back in 2004, the Pew Internet & American Life Project released Internet tracking survey results showing that 51% of 106 million adults with home Internet use broadband. This was the first time on record that the percentage of broadband connections surpassed dial-up.

Flash forward to today and you'll find that broadband use has climbed up to 63% while dial-up is at a mere 7%. But as broadband use increases, who are these people flocking online? In 2006, a survey found that Internet use among men and women was roughly the same --68% and 66% respectfully. People between the ages of 18 to 29 have the highest percentage of Internet use and only 21% of women over 65 go online. Unsurprisingly, the higher the household income and the more education a person has, the more likely he or she is to have home access to the Internet.

What about race? Whites have the highest percentage of Internet use (close to 70%) while blacks trail behind with 50 - 60% (use by Hispanics falls between the two). An article published in USA Today highlighted the digital divide that falls between minority and white students:

Many more white children use the Internet than do Hispanic and black students, a reminder that going online is hardly a way of life for everyone. Two of every three white students — 67% — use the Internet, but less than half of blacks and Hispanics do, according to federal data released Tuesday. For Hispanics the figure is 44%; for blacks, it's 47%.

"This creates incredible barriers for minorities," said Mark Lloyd, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and an analyst on how communications influence civil rights.

All together, about 91% of students in nursery school to high school use computers, and about 59% use the Internet while at school. At home, the digital divide between whites and minority students is even more drastic:

Some 54% of white students use the Internet at home, compared with 26% of Hispanic and 27% of black youngsters. Limited access at home can erode a student's ability to research assignments, explore college scholarships or just get comfortable going online.

The rise in Internet use has contributed to increased online civic engagement and the rise of teen cell phone use -- particularly smart phones with Internet browsers -- has created a level of Internet access unheard of before. According to research released earlier this year, "56% of adult Americans have accessed the Internet by wireless means, such as using a laptop, mobile device, game console, or MP3 player. The most prevalent way people get online using a wireless network is with a laptop computer; 39% of adults have done this."

So what does this increased Internet use and changing online demographics mean for consumers and those interested in online security and safety? To find out, join us for our podcast this Thursday, Sept. 10, entitled, “The New Online Demographics: What the Numbers Mean for Providers, Advertisers and Safety." It will take place at 12:30 p.m EDT and include representatives from the Joint Center on Political and Economic Studies, the Pew Internet & American Life Project and the U.S. Internet Industry Association, who will discuss the new communities coming online in record numbers in the United States, including minorities, women, seniors and very young users. These demographics also face unique challenges and risks as they integrate the Internet into their daily lives.

This is the third in a series of podcasts the Safe Internet Alliance is hosting to discuss ways to better educate and protect all Internet users.