subject: Who Is Online, And What Are They Doing [print this page] If you want variety of any kind associated with just about anything, you can find it on the web. However striking as this diverse variety might be, the data shows that most people who frequent the internet have a pattern that they don't stray far from. There are several opinions as to why this is, such as the attitude of the user and/or how in-depth the persons understanding of how the web works is, which will have a bearing on how savvy the person is. This seems to be the biggest influencing factor of all the factors studied.
To simplify the complexity of the internet, picture the internet as being a modern day tool that can be very useful in the right hands and the right understanding of how it works. Most people stay away from tools they don't know how to use, simply because they don't have a clue how to get the most out of its use. Other will venture farther if it is something they are interested in. People under the age of 30 have had a greater degree of exposure to the internet and all the personal gadgets that have invaded our culture and lives and will naturally use the internet at a much higher level and tap more into all that this technology offers.
College graduates are also more likely to use the internet regularly. It is impossible to go through college without becoming somewhat adept at using a computer. This has been a practice of the majority of institutions of higher learning for some time now. While older students were likely forced by necessity to learn how to utilize the net, the younger ones were more likely to have already spent some time online through hobbies or previous schooling.
Because broadband is so much faster than dial-up, it is more likely that broadband or other high speed internet users will do more things online. There are some things that are either too slow or impossible because of the slow speed of dial-up. While any type of internet subscriber can shop online, it is more likely that those with a faster speed will do so. The same holds true for getting the news online as well as visiting government websites. All of which are very highly common uses for internet subscribers.
Social networking sites have really gained ground among people connecting and interacting with family and friends but it still ranks behind the numerous community sites that most every community has with information about what is going on in any given local area. Many people have found that doing their banking online is actually a really convenient way to do their banking most of the time. Using the internet as job locating resource tool is just one of many uses the internet is now providing and many feel this is part of the every growing appeal of the internet to the growing number of users.
On the lower end of the popularity spectrum of online use would be; streaming music, playing games and streaming videos. The net is also very popular for sharing content. That could be sending photos or e-mailing college papers. The internet definitely shows us the ways in which we all have similar things to do in life, such as shopping, playing, and keeping in touch.
