Net Has Both Supporters, Skeptics

A new global study of the Internet reveals that both use and skepticism about the credibility of content is growing.

The UCLA Internet Report, created by the Center for Communication Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, surveyed thousands of respondents about their Web patterns.

The study found that most people are less concerned about the risk of personal data and credit card information of being stolen online.

One key trend gleaned by the study found that many online users are surfing the Web at the expense of time spent watching television. While the migration of the TV audience to the Web is not in itself a new finding, the study says that Internet users watched nearly five and half hours less of television per week compared to those not spending time on the Internet.

The study has been going on for more than three years, and is examining subtle trends in how people are entertained, and how they split some of their leisure time between television and the Internet.

How Has Internet Use Changed Your TV Viewing?
Less Time Same More Time
New Users (less than 1 year) 15.7% 69.7% 14.6%
Very Experienced Users (6+ years) 38.2% 60.3% 1.5%
Source: UCLA Center for Communication Policy


Consumer media habits are also a component of the study. The study found that of the 71.1 percent of Americans who spend time on the Internet, 61.1 percent found it “very” or “extremely” important to them, compared with 57.8 percent for newspapers, 50.2 percent for television and 40 percent for radio. So beyond sheer time, the Web has taken on great significance to how people are consuming media.

But while many Internet users turn to the Web for information and entertainment, the issue of credibility continues to be a concern. Only 52.8 percent of Internet users found most or all of the information online to be deem credible in 2002, down from 58 percent in 2001, and 55 percent in 2000.

Interestingly, an October 2002 Pew Internet & American Life Project report found that most Americans believe online news to be credible – 69 percent said they expected to find reliable, up-to-date news online, with 85 percent of Internet users saying this and 43 percent of non-Internet users saying this.

The study’s authors expect users will become increasingly skeptical of the information offered on the Web. The study also found that the number of people conducting online shopping transactions is falling, but the number of transactions and the amount being spent by the shoppers are increasing. In conclusion, Internet buyers are making more purchases but spending less per purchase.

Adult Online Purchasing
2000 2001 2002
Percent of Internet Users
Who Have Shopped Online
45.1% 50.9% 39.7%
Average Amount Spent Annually $113.43 $70.21 $100.70
Source: UCLA Center for Communication Policy



The UCLA study showed that online users are still concerned about privacy. 88.8 percent of the respondents said they had some privacy concerns, down from 94.6 percent in 2001.

Concerned About Online Privacy and E-Commerce
Not at All Somewhat Very
2001 5.5% 28.8% 65.8%
2002 11.2% 34.5% 54.3%
Source: UCLA Center for Communication Policy


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