Nine Out of 10 Americans Now Using the Internet

It’s hard to believe that the World Wide Web is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Pew Research used the occasion to gauge the impact of the Internet’s rapid growth in America.

According to their most recent survey, nearly nine out of 10 American adults now use the Internet regularly. And that figure is even higher among certain demographics. Every healthcare practitioner should know that 99 percent of those living in households earning $75,000 or more use the Internet. You should also know that among younger people aged 18 to 29 and people with college degrees, Internet usage is at 97 percent.

To really appreciate the dramatic demographic changes, consider that a 1995 survey by Pew Research revealed that only 14 percent of Americans had ever used the Internet. Amazingly, only 42 percent of people had ever heard of the Internet, and only 21 percent had even a vague idea of what the Internet was all about.

The Pew survey also revealed that 90 percent of people who use the Internet believe it’s been a good thing for them personally. Plus 76 percent of the people polled say it’s been a good thing for society in general. Only 15 percent believe that the Internet has had a negative impact on society.

The lesson for healthcare practitioners is that the Internet is now the absolute best way to reach more affluent, better educated and younger patients.