The Associated Press carried a story about a survey on the use of technology conducted by Pew Internet / American Life Project. The study was designed to classify Americans into different groups of technology users.
In order to classify users, the group examined people’s relationship to information and communications technology. According to the report’s author, the results identified a wide variety of Web 2.0 users and non-users.
At one end of the spectrum, the survey
identifies the heaviest consumers, most active users, and happiest denizens of the information society. It also locates those who find great satisfaction in the use of ICT even though they have fewer network resources. In the middle range, the typology highlights some users who have invested a lot in services and hardware, but feel uncomfortable with the extra connectivity. And at the other end of the spectrum, it identifies those who get along – many of them just fine – with a relative scarcity of information goods and services.
Key findings of the study:
- 8% of Americans are deep users of the participatory Web and mobile applications
- Another 23% are heavy, pragmatic tech adopters – they use gadgets to keep up with social networks or be productive at work
- 10% rely on mobile devices for voice, texting, or entertainment
- 10% use information gadgets, but find it a hassle
- 49% of Americans only occasionally use modern gadgetry and many others bristle at electronic connectivity
There is an online quiz to help you discover what kind of technology user you are.
Do you cringe when your cell phone rings? Do you suffer from withdrawal when you can’t check your Blackberry? Do you rush to post your vacation video to your Web site?
I took the quiz and I ranked at the high end as an Omnivore. Not surprising.
What are your results?
As service providers and policy makers, is important to understand that most consumers aren’t the same – and generally aren’t like people who work in the industry. The study found nearly 60% of Americans fit into categories called Connected but Hassled (10%), Inexperienced Experimenters (8%), Light But Satisfied (15%), Indifferents (11%), Off the Network (15%).
How does the industry attract these users?
Looking back at the Economist e-readiness rankings, are there policy initiatives that can help migrate folks toward the more technophilic classes of Productivity Enhancers and Connectors?