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Internet users
ranked the Internet as a more important information source
than books, newspapers, television, radio and magazines.
The Internet was
listed as "very important" or "extremely important"
by 61.1 percent of those surveyed, compared with books at
60.3 percent, newspapers at 57.8 percent, television at 50.2
percent, radio at 40 percent and magazines at 28.7 percent.
Even among those
who had used the Internet for less than one year online, 52
percent said the Internet is a very important or extremely
important information source.
Despite this, the
credibility of information found on the Internet has declined
for the first time since the report started three years ago.
In 2002, 52.8 percent
of users said that most or all of the information online is
reliable and accurate compared with 58 percent in 2001 and
55 percent in 2000.
Among non-users
Internet credibility ranked even lower. In 2002, 33.6 percent
of non-users said that most or all of the information on the
Internet is reliable and accurate compared with 36.7 percent
in 2001 and a similar 33.3 percent in 2000.
The report found
that television viewing has continued to decline among Internet
users. Researchers suggest that users may be spending time
on the Internet that they used to spend watching television.
In 2002, Internet
users watched 11.2 hours of television per weeks while in
2001 they watched 12.3. They also watched less television
than non-users, 5.4 hours less in 2002 and 4.5 hours less
in 2001.
Correspondingly,
use of the Internet at home has increased substantially. Of
the 71.1 percent of Americans who use the Internet, close
to 60 percent have Internet access at home. In 2000, only
46.9 percent of users reported home Internet access.
Internet users
have also been spending more time online. In 2000 they spent
an average of 9.3 hours online per week compared with 9.8
hours in 2001, but in 2002 the average number of hours spent
online per week increased to 11.1.
Science
Daily February 10, 2003
UCLA
Internet Report (PDF) January 31, 2003
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