The Pew Research Center recently released a report showing that 15 percent of Americans do not use the Internet despite different programs that promote Internet use.
The findings were based on three surveys conducted this year participated by 5,005 people 18 years old and above. The participants cited three reasons why they don't use the Internet: 34 percent are not interested, 32 percent find it difficult to use and 19 percent complained about the expensive cost of having Internet service and buying a computer.
Most of the people who don't go online are seniors, which is 39 percent of the non-Internet users, compared to the three percent of those aged 18 to 29.
The analysis also showed that household income and education affect the capability of a person to go online. Those who earn more than $30,000 per year are eight times more likely to go online than those with a lower household income. Consumers usually spend an average of $50 per month for Internet service, which is $10 more than its cost a decade ago, according to Time.
The rate of the non-Internet users actually improved over the years because nearly 48 percent did not go online back in 2000 when Pew Research started the surveys. Still, the government is continuously working on programs that would provide Internet to those who can't afford it. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently expanded its broadband funding to $1 billion per year for schools and libraries, while the Department of Housing and Urban Development has partnered with private companies for discounts in broadband services, reported the Washington Post.
The Internet makes people's lives more convenient nowadays, allowing people to access various services and complete tasks with few clicks. One can find a solution on a problem, purchase items, pay bills and contact their friends and relatives through social media sites.
