The Internet and the Pandemic
Nine-in-ten Americans say the internet has been essential or important to them, many made video calls and 40% used technology in new ways. But while tech was a lifeline for some, others faced struggles.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Internet and Technology
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Some digital divides persist between rural, urban and suburban America
Rural adults are less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet or computer.
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How Americans feel about ‘cancel culture’ and offensive speech in 6 charts
Here’s a look at how adults in the United States see cancel culture, political correctness and related issues, based on the Center’s surveys.
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56% of Americans support more regulation of major technology companies
A majority of Americans (68%) believe major technology companies have too much power and influence in the economy.
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Home broadband adoption, computer ownership vary by race, ethnicity in the U.S.
Black and Hispanic Americans remain less likely than White adults to say they own a traditional computer or have high-speed internet at home.
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56% of Americans oppose the right to sue social media companies for what users post
41% of U.S. adults say people should be able to sue social media companies for content that other users post on these companies’ platforms.
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Digital divide persists even as Americans with lower incomes make gains in tech adoption
The shares of Americans in each income tier who have home broadband or a smartphone have not significantly changed from 2019 to 2021.
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Experts Doubt Ethical AI Design Will Be Broadly Adopted as the Norm Within the Next Decade
A majority worries that the evolution of artificial intelligence by 2030 will continue to be primarily focused on optimizing profits and social control. Still, a portion celebrate coming AI breakthroughs that will improve life.
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Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2021
Smartphone ownership and home broadband adoption are up slightly since 2019. And 30% of Americans say they at least sometimes experience problems connecting to the internet at home.
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34% of lower-income home broadband users have had trouble paying for their service amid COVID-19
Some 15% of all home broadband users in the U.S. say they have had trouble paying for their high-speed internet service during the pandemic.
