Apologies for cross posting
Global Internet User Survey Reveals Attitudes, Usage, and Behavior
Survey of more than 10,000 Internet users in 20 countries highlights
online behavior and usage in addition to views about privacy and
identity, human rights, censorship, and society
[WASHINGTON, DC and GENEVA, Switzerland – 26 November 2012] – A
worldwide survey of more than 10,000 Internet users in 20 countries
conducted by the Internet Society revealed attitudes towards the
Internet and user behavior online. The Global Internet User Survey is
one of the broadest surveys of Internet user attitudes on key issues
facing the Internet. This year's survey covered areas such as how
users manage personal information online, attitudes toward the
Internet and human rights, censorship, and the potential for the
Internet to address issues such as economic development and education.
"Today's online users have high expectations for the Internet and its
impact on our lives and society, while also expressing concerns over
censorship and excessive governmental controls," said Lynn St. Amour,
President and CEO of the Internet Society. "As part of realizing the
Internet Society's vision of an Internet that is for everyone, this
survey uniquely focuses on users and their experiences, attitudes, and
opinions on how to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the
Internet and society in general. We are committed to the Internet's
continued open growth and evolution, not only for those who enjoy the
Internet today, but until everyone is able to access and benefit from
an open Internet."
Key findings from this year's survey cover a broad range of topics.
The Internet and Human Rights:
* Eighty-three percent of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that
access to the Internet should be considered a basic human right.
* Eighty-nine percent agreed or agreed strongly that Internet access
allows freedom of expression on all subjects, and 86 percent agreed or
agreed strongly that freedom of expression should be guaranteed.
* Sixty percent of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that Internet
access has contributed significantly to civil action and political
awareness in their country.
Internet censorship:
* Thirty percent of users agreed strongly that censorship currently
exists on the Internet.
* Sixty-six percent of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that
governments in countries with no Internet censorship have a
responsibility to keep the Internet free of censorship in countries
where the Internet is being censored/controlled/shut down.
* More than 70 percent of users agreed or agreed strongly that more
government involvement would make the Internet too controlled or would
limit content they can access.
* More than two-thirds agreed or agreed strongly that increased
government control would inhibit the growth of the Internet and/or
stifle innovation.
Online privacy and identity:
* Even when users know they are sharing personal data with a site or
service, most users (80 percent) do not always read privacy policies
and a significant fraction (12 percent) of respondents admitted that
they never read privacy policies.
* Of users who logged into online services, only half reported that
they logged out.
* Nineteen percent of respondents were aware of circumstances in which
personal data was used in a way they did not expect. The most commonly
reported consequences were: unsolicited communications, stolen
personal data, private data becoming public, impersonation, and
financial loss.
The Internet and economic and societal issues:
* Nearly two-thirds of respondents agreed or agreed strongly that the
Internet would play a significant role in solving global problems,
including reducing child mortality (63 percent), improving maternal
health (65 percent), eliminating extreme poverty and hunger (61
percent), and preventing the trafficking of women and children (69
percent).
* An even higher percentage of respondents agreed or agreed strongly
that the Internet would increase global trade and economic
relationships (81 percent), improve the quality of education (80
percent), and improve emergency response during a natural disaster (77
percent).
* A majority of respondents felt strongly that the Internet plays a
significant role in making improvements to business, science, and
technology in areas such as: expanding the availability of goods and
services (66 percent), allowing entrepreneurs to conduct business
across all countries (65 percent), and advancing science and
technology and creating a technologically recognized workforce (61
percent).
Attitudes towards the Internet:
* Ninety-eight percent of users agreed or strongly agreed the Internet
is essential for their access to knowledge and education.
* More than 80 percent agreed or agreed strongly that the Internet
plays a positive role for their individual lives as well as society at
large.
* Nearly 75 percent of users strongly agreed that access to the
Internet allows them to seek any information that interests them.
General Internet usage:
* Internet users nearly universally (96 percent) indicated they
accessed the Internet at least once a day.
* More than 90 percent of Internet users surveyed globally indicated
they use social media, with a majority (60 percent) using it daily, an
increase of 10 percent over 2011.
* Connection speed (73 percent) and reliability (69 percent) ranked
slightly above more affordable monthly fees (68 percent) among factors
that would increase usage. Other factors included more content in
their local language (50 percent) and more online availability of
government and/or community services (49 percent).
The Internet Society's Global Internet User Survey (GIUS) provides
reliable information relevant to issues important to the Internet's
future. As an ongoing effort, the survey provides information, informs
and supports the activities of the global Internet Society community,
and makes the data it collects openly available for all. While other
ICT surveys focus on economic, infrastructure, or other Internet use
indicators, the GIUS focuses on users, which are the source of
innovation that has driven the Internet's development, evolution, and
dramatic growth over the past four decades. The first GIUS in 2011
gathered the responses of 6,088 Internet users in 11 countries.
This year, the GIUS was conducted on behalf of the Internet Society
from July to August 2012 by Redshift Research, a leading business
market research firm. The survey questionnaire engaged 10,789 Internet
users in 20 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, France,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Peru, Philippines, Poland,
Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, UAE, and the
United States. Of the respondents, 53 percent were male and 47 percent
were female. Results from the survey varied across countries; future
reports will provide additional insight into these variations.
The complete questionnaire, full results—including results by
country—and more information on survey methodology are available at:
http://www.internetsociety.org/survey
https://www.internetsociety.org/news/global-internet-user-survey-reveals-attitudes-usage-and-behavior
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Regards
Fatima Darries
E-LIS SA Editor
http://eprints.rclis.org
www.highedlibrarian.blogspot.com
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November 9, 2012 
