Washington D.C. – Despite the continued rapid expansion of networked devices, there remains a substantial share of Americans that so far has not yet taken advantage of technologies such as the Internet or cellphones, according to a new report published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Almost half of the U.S. population is estimated to have a “distant or non-existent relationship to modern information technology.”

The report, which is based on responses from 4001 respondents, found that 85% of American adults are “connected,” by cellphone, Internet or both. This leaves 15 out of 100 Americans “off the network.” According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, this group consists mainly of older adults, who may have computers or digital cameras, but are somewhat content with old media.

Researchers identified a total of three different groups of information and communication technology (ICT) users in today’s society.

31% of the U.S. population is estimated to cover the “elite” of technology users: They make frequent use of the Internet and connected gadgets and can be subdivided into four distinct groups: There are  “omnivores” (8%) who “voraciously” participate in cyberspace, “connectors” (7%) who connect to people and manage digital content using ICTs, “lackluster veterans” (8%) who were among the early adopters of the Internet and are less avid about cell phones and “productivity enhancers” (8%) whose main focus is personal and professional communication.

The middle range of technology users accounts for 20% of the U.S. population. The group of “mobile centrics” (10%) has a preference for cell phones, use the Internet less often and contains a large share of African Americans, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Another 10%, are “connected but hassled” and find connectivity intrusive.

The third group of technology users makes up almost half (49%) of the American population and is believed to own relatively few technology assets. Researchers of the survey said that only 14% of this group has broadband Internet access at home. Besides 15% of people who are “off the network”, this group includes “inexperienced experimenters who occasionally use ICTs (8%), “light but satisfied” users who do not rely on technology as a central part of their daily lives (15%) and “indifferents” who find connectivity simply annoying.

The complete report is available as a free download from the website of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

lackluster veterans

May 07, 2007 14:26     

I found out I'm a lackluster veteran. I don't have a cellphone but I have a huge Internet pipe at home. I find cellphones useful but too expensive for what they deliver. When WiMAX or other always connected wireless technology comes I'll make the jump. I hope VoIP kills the cellphone game as it is. -J
Javier report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

me too

May 08, 2007 09:05     

I wonder if a lot of TG readers are lackluster veterans. Being steeped in technology so often for so long has to lead to being at least a bit jaded. I also have a huge Internet connection and use the net a lot, but have only ever gotten free cell phones, and barely use them. I often think they just don't do enough, since I'm so used to PCs. Going online with my cellphone most often means using it as a modem for my laptop. To try anything else I often just get annoyed by it.

Ben report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@ Javier. Cell phones will never die out. Period. ...

May 08, 2007 09:10     

@ Javier. Cell phones will never die out. Period. As soon as I read the title, I thought "old people" and I was right.
iamxyj report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I'm jaded and proud of it!

May 08, 2007 22:31     

Everyone goes apesh-t over everything related to the internet, but most of it is junk, especially sites like Youtube and all those "social networking" sites. 99.9 percent of the internet is the digital equivalent of Fred Sanford's front yard; useless crap scattered hither and yon
Charles report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

newer? better? improved?

May 11, 2007 09:41     

The sad fact is that most content is still hopeless rubbish. Wrapping it in a newer, slicker package doesn't change a thing--it is still garbage on the inside. More sophisticated technology does not enhance the content, it only highlights deficiency.
Ed report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

ell phones rubbish

Jun 01, 2007 20:22     

Everyone I know who has a cellphone turns it off when driving or doing practically anything cause they don't want to be bothered. I tell them just don't have one, it is cheaper.... I am old tho, so I am wrong...
Terry Rodrigue Sr report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0