2011-12-01-皮尤-The_internet_as_a_diversion_and_destination_15页_838kb

Internet Use as a Diversion and Destination Summary

This report from Pew Research Center on December 2, 2011, examines the trend of internet use for fun, entertainment, and to pass the time. Based on surveys from 2000 to 2011, it highlights shifts in how Americans engage with the internet, particularly among different demographic groups.

Key Findings

• Young Adults (18–29): 53% use the internet on a typical day just for fun or diversion; 81% have used it for this purpose at least occasionally. This indicates casual, purposeless internet use as a common activity.

• All Adults: 58% ever use the internet for fun, up from 29% in 2000, showing a significant increase across the population.

Trends Over Time

Internet use for distraction has grown rapidly:

• From 29% in 2000 to 58% in 2011 among all adults.
• The increase occurred across age groups and demographics, with higher adoption among those not previously online.
• Factors driving this trend include the rise of broadband connections, high-speed video content, and social networking.

Demographic Analysis

• Use has stabilized across diverse groups, with no major adoption barriers for factors like gender, race, ethnicity, income, or education.
• However, disparities persist for senior citizens (aged 65+) and those without a high school diploma, where internet penetration for diversion is lower.
• Growth in frequency of use (e.g., young adults going online for fun or distraction on most days) highlights a competitive shift, as internet provides alternatives to traditional leisure activities.

This report underscores the internet's role in daily life as a primary source of entertainment and non-purpose-driven engagement.