Internet Makes Its Move to Number Two

By NewsFactor Network | November 21, 2006

The evolution of the Internet from a niche novelty to a primary source for gathering information continues to take shape with more Americans now using the Web to find news and information about science than any other medium except one, according to a new study.

The World Wide Web ranks second only to television as the primary destination for Americans seeking information and news about science, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

And for those who have made the jump to high-speed cable Internet connections, the Internet is just as popular as television.

“People’s use of the Internet for science information has a lot to do with the Internet’s convenience as a research tool, but it is also connected to people’s growing dependence on the Internet for information of all types,” said John B. Horrigan, the study’s principal author and associate director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

The study showed that 20 percent of Americans, or some 40 million people, obtain most of their science information from the Internet, compared with 41 percent citing television. Newspapers and magazines were each credited with 14 percent and radio with 4 percent.

Young Leading the Way

While the Internet ranked second behind television for science news, it lagged behind local and national television, radio, and the local paper as a source for general news. It beat out only national newspapers.

However, Horrigan said the trend could accelerate rapidly in the coming years as the number of young adults with high-speed Internet connections at home continues to grow. According to the study, more American’s aged 15 to 25 already use the Internet for science news and information by a 44 percent to 32 percent margin over television.