NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School Technology Survey

NPR/KAISER/KENNEDY SCHOOL
TECHNOLOGY SURVEY

As shown, some questions were asked only of subsets of respondents (e.g., people with access to home computers, or people without access to any computers). Unless otherwise indicated, the tables reflect percentages of the subset that was asked the question, not percentages of the overall population.

Read about the findings from this survey.

Read the results from the Kids survey.

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

A. IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Thinking about major technological developments of the twentieth century, which one or two of the following do you think were the most significant?

The computer	62	65
The automobile	34	33
Television	21	19
The airplane	16	15
Broadcast radio	12	12
Nuclear energy	13	11
Space flight	12	14
Genetic engineering	13	14
Don't know	2	1

B. INTEREST IN AND COMFORT WITH TECHNOLOGY

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

2. I'd like to read you two statements. For each one, please tell me how strongly you agree or disagree.

a. Science and technology make our way of life change too fast.

Strongly agree 21 19

Agree to some extent 36 37

Neither agree nor disagree 8 8

Disagree to some extent 21 22

Strongly disagree 12 13

Don't know* 1 *

b. Scientists can be trusted to make the right decisions.

Strongly agree 6 6

Agree to some extent 40 41

Neither agree nor disagree 12 13

Disagree to some extent 26 26

Strongly disagree 14 14

Don't know* 1 1

3. Have you ever done any of the following?

Percent answering yes:

a. Programmed radio stations on a push-button car radio?	84	90
b. Programmed a VCR to record from TV?	81	87
c. Used a computer?	82	92
d. Operated a fax machine?	67	76
e. Used a cellular phone?	82	89
f. Sent an e-mail message?	58	67
g. Used the Internet?	64	75

4. When it comes to computers, would you say you are keeping up or being left behind?

Keeping up	49	56	85
Being left behind	49	43	14
Don't know*	2	1	1

Asked only if respondent answered "left behind" to Question 4.
5. Why do you think you have been falling behind?

You don't have enough time.	22	27
You don't have enough knowledge.	23	22
It's too expensive.	18	20
You're not that interested.	36	30
Don't know*	2	1

C. TECHNOLITERACY

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

6. Please tell me whether or not you have a reasonable understanding of what each of the following terms means?

	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
a. Software	82	18	88	11	89	11
b. Computer hardware	80	20	86	14	79	20
c. Surfing—on the computer, not on the sea	76	23	83	17	82	17
d. E-commerce	37	63	41	58	24	75
e. The World Wide Web	79	21	84	16	84	16
f. The Internet	87	12	93	7	97	3
g. E-mail	86	14	90	10	95	4
h. Chat room	73	27	81	19	88	12
i. Download	76	24	85	15	88	12
j. Website	82	18	90	10	95	5
k. Broad band	27	73	29	71	11	89

D. ACCESS AND USAGE AT WORK

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

Asked only if respondent was employed.
8. Do you use a computer in your work?

Yes	68	69	96
No	32	31	4

Asked only if respondent uses a computer at work.
9. Do you think your computer is essential for the work you do, or not?

Yes, essential	84	85
No, not essential	16	15

Asked only if respondent uses a computer at work (or school for children).
10. Do you use the Internet on your computer at work (or school for children)?

	Computer Users at Work	Total Adults	Computer Users <60	Total Adults <60	Children
Yes	50	22	50	27	81
No	50	22	50	27	17

Asked only if respondent uses the Internet at work.
11. Do you think the Internet is essential for the work you do, or not?

Yes	63	63
No	37	37

Asked only if respondent uses a computer at work.
12. Do you have an e-mail address for use at work?

	Computer Users	Total Adults	Computer Users <60	Total Adults <60
Yes	60	31	59	41
No	40	27	41	28

Asked only if respondent has e-mail at work.
13. Do you think e-mail is essential for the work you do, or not?

Yes	67	67
No	33	33

Asked only if respondent has e-mail at work.
14. About how many e-mail messages do you get during an average workday?

Average	16	17
Median	8	8

Asked only if respondent has e-mail at work.
15. Do you think e-mail has made communication between people in the upper levels and people in the lower levels of your organization better or worse, or hasn't it made much difference?

Better	60	61
Worse	4	4
Hasn't made much difference	35	33
Don't know*	2	1

Asked only if respondent uses a computer at work.
16. Everybody experiences stress at times. How often does your work with computers on the job contribute to stress in your life?

Very often	10	10
Somewhat often	28	28
Hardly at all	44	45
Never	18	17

E. ACCESS AND USAGE AT HOME

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

17. Please tell me whether or not you currently have each of the following technological products or services in your household.

Asked each time a respondent answered yes to an item in Question 17.
17A. Do you consider it an essential part of your life, or not?

Summary table for 17 & 17A

	Have the device	Do not have the device	% of those who have the device & consider it essential	% of total population who have device and consider it essential(<60)
a. A VCR	95/97	5/3	28/30	27/29
b. A home fax machine	22/24	78/76	33/35	7/8
c. A cellular phone or car phone	57/62/8	43/38/92	50/52	28/32
d. A telephone answering machine or voicemail	82/86	18/14	61/63	50/54
e. Cable or satellite television	78/78	22/22	44/43	34/34

18. Do you currently have a computer in your home or a computer that you use at home, or not?

Yes	60	69	78
No	40	31	22

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
18A. How many computers are in use in your home?

1 computer	71	70
2 or more computers	28	29

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
19. Do you think having or using a computer at home has made your life better or worse, or hasn't it made much difference?

Better	63	64
Worse	2	2
Hasn't made much difference	36	34

Asked only if respondent does not have or use a computer at home.
20. What is the main reason you don't have a computer at home?

You don't know enough about computers to choose which one to buy	8	10
Computers are too expensive	33	44
You don't have time to learn how to use one	7	6
You don't need one	47	37
Don't know*	5	4

Asked only if respondent does not use a computer at work and does not have or use a computer at home.
21. Do you think it is a problem for you not having a computer?

Asked only if respondent thinks not having a computer is a problem.
21A. Is it a very serious, somewhat serious, or not very serious problem?

21/21a Combined Results

PROBLEM (NET)
23
24

Very serious
2
2

Somewhat serious
10
12

Not very serious problem
11
10

NOT A PROBLEM
77
76

21/21a Kids answers

PROBLEM (NET) 42

Big problem 16

Little problem 25

NOT A PROBLEM 58

Asked only if respondent has a computer at home.
22. Do you have access to the Internet or e-mail on your computer at home?

Percent of those with home computers	79	77	73
Percent of total adults	47	53	25

Asked only if respondent has access to the Internet or e-mail at home.
23. Do you think having access to the Internet or e-mail at home has made you life better or worse, or hasn't it made much difference?

Better	61	62
Worse	1	1
Hasn't made much difference	38	37

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
24. In about what year did you get your first home computer?

Before 1988	16	15
1988 - 1991	14	15
1992 - 1994	18	18
1995 - 1996	20	20
1997	12	12
1998	11	10
1999	9	10
Don't know*	1	1

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
25. How old is the computer you use (most often) at home?

Less than 1 year	20	20
1 year	21	21
2 years	19	19
3 years	13	14
4 - 5 years	15	15
6+ years	8	8
Don't know*	4	4

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
26. Who uses the computer(s) in your home on a regular basis? (Items were not read. After each answer, interviewer probed, "Anyone else?" If respondent didn't say self, interviewer asked, "Do you use the computer on a regular basis?")

	Percent of those w/ home computer	Percent of all adults	Percent of those <60 w/ home computers	Percent of all adults <60
Self	73	44	73	50
Spouse	43	26	43	30
Children	35	21	38	26
Other family members	13	8	13	9
Friends	4	2	4	3
No one	2	4	3	2

Asked only if respondent has or uses a computer at home.
27. For which of the following purposes, if any, do you use a computer at home? (Items a-n were scrambled. Item o was always read last. Item m was asked only of respondents who were employed.)

Percent who said yes

	Percent of those w/ home computer	Percent of all adults	Percent of those <60 w/ home computers	Percent of all adults <60	Kids
a. For writing or word processing?	83	50	84	58
b. For education or school work?	74	44	78	54	88
c. To pay bills?	15	9	16	11
d. To keep personal financial records?	48	29	49	34
e. To make investments in stocks and bonds?	15	9	15	10
f. To shop?	40	24	41	28	17
g. To get information about current events?	61	37	62	43	71
h. To get information about entertainment, sports, and hobbies?	62	37	64	44	56
i. To find news about travel or make travel arrangements?	55	33	55	4
j. To participate in chat rooms?	20	12	21	14	54
k. To play games?	69	41	70	48	82
l. To find adult-oriented pictures and stories?	10	6	10	7
m. To do work for your paying job? (only if employed)	50	37	51	37
n. To send and receive e-mail?	73	44	73	50	68
o. To get health or medical information?	46	28	45	31	17

Asked only if respondent uses the computer to get health or medical information.
27A. Do you use a computer at home to get the following types of health information, or not?

a. Information about how to treat a disease you or a family member has	62	62	65
b. Information about a health care provider, such as a doctor or a hospital	27	27	22
c. Information about medicines or prescription drugs	57	59
e. Information about ways to prevent illnesses	52	53	51
f. Information about sexual health issues such as birth control, HIV, AIDS, or STDs	17	18	28
g. Information about diet, exercise, or how to look your best			44

Asked only of respondents who have or use a computer at home.
28. Do you think using a computer has led you to watch more or less television than you would if you didn't have a computer, or hasn't it made much difference?

More	1	1	3
Less	28	28	45
Hasn't made much difference	71	70	52

Asked only of respondents who are employed and have or use a computer at home.
29. Which of the following statements best describes how having a computer at home has affected where and how many hours you work doing your paying job?

You work more hours overall than you used to because you now work at home, too.	14	14
You work the same number of hours, but work at home more and at the office less than you used to.	9	8
It hasn't changed where or how many hours you work.	77	77

Asked only of respondents who have children aged 10-17 at home.
31A. Do any of your children aged 10-17 use a computer at home, at school, or at a friend's house?

Yes	96	96
No	4	4

Asked only of respondents who have children under age 10 at home.
31C. Do any of your children under age 10 use a computer at home, at school, or at a friend's house?

Yes	75	74
No	25	26

Asked only of respondents who have children under age 18 at home.
32. Do you ever ask your children who are under 18 for help with the computer, or not?

Yes	33	35
No	67	65

Kids were asked this corresponding question

Do either of your parents ever ask you for help with the computer? Do you ever ask your parents for help with the computer?
Yes
70

55

No
29

45

F. ACCESS AND USAGE EITHER AT WORK OR AT HOME

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

Asked only of respondents who do not have or use a computer at home, and are not employed or do not use a computer at work.
33. I'm going to read you a list of things some people have said might be problems for people who do not have computers. For each one, please tell me whether or not it is a problem for you. (Items scrambled.)

(Percent answering yes.)

a. You can't communicate as easily with friends and family as you could if you had a computer.	13	15	23
b. You can't get information as easily as you could with a computer.	25	34	57
c. You can't do your job as well as you could with a computer.	11	15	38
d. You can't buy things as easily as you could with a computer.	9	11	25

Asked only of respondents who do not have or use a computer at home, and are not employed or do not use a computer at work.
34. Do you feel left out because you don't have a computer, or not?

Yes, feel left out	17	25	37
No, do not feel left out	83	75	63

Asked only of respondents who have or use a computer at work or at home.
35. If you had trouble figuring out how to do something on the computer, which of the following would you most likely do?

Look it up in a manual	13	12	4
Use the help menu on the software you were trying to use	25	27	15
Call a telephone help line	6	6	3
Ask a friend or family member for help	38	37	55
Just keep trying things until you got it	18	19	23
Don't know*	1	1	<1

36. Do you, yourself, have a pager or beeper?

Yes	22	27	14
No	78	73	86

Asked only of respondents who have a pager or beeper.
37. Do you think having a pager or beeper made your life better or worse, or hasn't it made much difference?

Better	49	50
Worse	13	12
Hasn't made much difference	38	37

Asked only of respondents who have access to the Internet at work or at home.
38. How often do you use the Internet to get news about current events?

	Percent who have Internet access	Percent of total adults	Percent < 60 who have Internet access	Percent of total adults < 60
Very often	22	12	22	13
Fairly often	25	13	26	16
Not very often	34	18	34	20
Not at all	19	10	18	11

Asked of all respondents.
39. How much do you trust information from the Internet?

Completely	3	3	6
Quite a lot	35	40	50
Just a little	41	43	40
Not at all	14	10	4
Don't know*	7	4	1

40. Which do you think you can count on more? (Items rotated.)

Computer e-mail	33	37	49
U.S. mail	58	55	46
Neither*	1	1	4
Both*	5	5
Don't know*	3	2

G. BENEFITS AND COSTS

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

41. Some people say they feel overloaded with information these days, considering all the TV news shows, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet. Others say they like having so much information to choose from. How about you: Do you feel overloaded, or do you like having so much information available?

Feel overloaded	24	20
Like having so much information available	73	78
Don't know*	3	2

42. Which way do you feel more often?

I like the way new technologies allow me to keep in touch.	70	76	87
I don't like the way new technologies let people get in touch with me all the time.	27	23	11
Don't know*	3	1	2

43. For each of the following technologies, please tell me if you think it is making life better or worse for Americans, or isn't it making much difference? (All items scrambled.)

All adults

	Better	Worse	Isn't making much difference	Don't Know*
a. Television	46	34	19	1
b. Computers	83	9	7	2
c. Nuclear energy	51	23	18	8
d. Genetic engineering	50	21	18	11
e. Automobiles	86	7	6	<1
f. The Internet	68	14	14	5
g. Cellular phones	62	21	15	2

All adults under 60

	Better	Worse	Isn't making much difference	Don't Know*
a. Television	42	36	21	1
b. Computers	87	7	5	1
c. Nuclear energy	51	25	18	7
d. Genetic engineering	53	22	18	8
e. Automobiles	86	7	6	<1
f. The Internet	72	13	12	2
g. Cellular phones	64	21	14	1

Kids

	Better	Worse	Isn't making much difference	Don't Know*
a. Television	35	30	35	< 1
b. Computers	91	2	6	< 1
f. The Internet	80	7	12	1
g. Cellular phones	65	11	23	1

Asked of half of respondents.
44. Do you think the use of computers has given people more free time, less free time, or hasn't it made much difference?

More	24	24
Less	46	45
Hasn't made much difference	28	30

Asked of half of respondents.
45. Do you think the use of computers has given people more control over their lives, less control over their lives, or hasn't it made much difference?

More	51	54
Less	17	16
Hasn't made much difference	30	29
Don't know*	1	1

45A. Do you think the use of computers has led people to spend more time with their families, or hasn't it made much difference?

More	12	12	10
Less	58	57	39
Hasn't made much difference	29	30	50
Don't know*	2	1	<1

46. In general, do you think access to computers widens or narrows the gap in income and opportunity between the haves and the have-nots in our society, or don't you think it makes much difference?

Widens	45	46
Narrows	11	13
Hasn't made much difference	39	39
Don't know*	4	2

47A. Do you think the government should help low-income people get access to computers and the Internet, or not?

Yes, government should help	57	61
No, government should not help	40	37
Don't know*	3	2

Asked only of respondents who believe the government should not help low-income people get access to computers.
47B. How about low-income children: Do you think the government should help them get access to computers and the Internet, or not?

Yes, government should help	50	53
No, government should not help	45	43
Don't know*	4	3

Combined results for 47A/47B

SHOULD HELP (NET)	78	82
Help low income people	57	61
Help low income children	22	21
SHOULD NOT HELP	21	18

48. Over the next few years in the U.S., do you think the growing use of computers in the workplace will increase or decrease the number of jobs, or won't it make much difference?

Increase	43	44
Decrease	32	32
Won't make much difference	23	23
Don't know*	2	1

49. Over the next few years, do you think the use of computers in the workplace will increase or decrease wages, or won't it make much difference?

Increase	39	40
Decrease	19	19
Won't make much difference	39	39
Don't know*	3	2

Asked only if respondent is employed.
50. Are you concerned that you might lose your job in the future because of advances in technology, or not?

Asked only if respondent is concerned about losing a job.
50A. Are you very, somewhat, or only slightly concerned?

Summary results for 50/50A

YES, CONCERNED (NET)	13	13
Very concerned	5	5
Somewhat concerned	3	3
Slightly concerned	5	5
NO, NOT CONCERNED	86	87

Asked only if respondent uses a computer at work.
51. When you first started in your line of work, did you use a computer at work, or not?

Yes	46	48
No	54	52

Asked only of respondents who have or use a computer at work or at home.
53. When it comes to computers, how annoyed are you about each of the following things -- a lot, a little, or not at all? (Responses "a lot" and "not at all" were rotated.)

	A lot	A little	Not at all
a. How often computers crash or freeze	41/41/47	36/37/36	21/21/15
b. The inconvenience of having to upgrade software constantly	38/39/27	35/34/45	26/25/26
c. The cost of computers, software, and services	26/27/34	38/38/42	35/33/22
d. Software that is too hard to use	38/38/36	36/37/47	23/23/17
e. Poor documentation for software	31/31/17	35/36/43	30/30/40
f. How much time some functions take to perform	30/31/49	45/45/40	24/23/12
g. Not finding the information you want	32/33/49	44/44/40	23/22/11
h. Junk e-mail	61/62/53	16/16/23	22/21/20

Half of respondents were asked Questions aa-ae; the other half were asked ba-be.
54. I'm going to read you a list of things that some people have said are a problem with computers or the Internet. For each one, please tell me if you think it is a major problem, a minor problem, or not a problem at all. (Items scrambled.)

For each item that received a "yes" answer in Question 54, adult respondents were asked this follow-up.
54A. Is this something the government should do something about, or shouldn't the government be involved?

	PROBLEM (NET)	Major problem	Minor problem	Govt. should be involved (% of all adults)	Govt. shouldn't be involved (% of all adults)	NOT A PROBLEM	Don't Know*
aa. Pornography and adult entertainment	87/87	66/65	21/23	61/60	26/27	10/11	3/1
ab. The availability of information about how to build bombs and other weapons	91/91	73/72	18/20	75/76	15/14	8/7	1/1
ac. Violent games	82/81	56/52/39	26/29/35	51/46	31/34	15/18/25	3/2/<1
ae. Dangerous strangers making contact with kids	95/96	85/85/86	11/11/10	79/79	15/16	3/3/4	1/1/<1
ba. The availability of pornography to children	96/96	84/83/76	12/13/14	75/74	20/20	4/3/7	1/1/3
bb. Hate speech, information that attacks people based on their race, religion, or ethnicity	81/83	55/56	26/27	53/53	27/28	15/14	5/3
bc. The ability to purchase guns	77/78	58/58	19/20	61/62	14/15	18/17	5/4
bd. Loss of privacy	84/84	56/55/60	28/29/26	54/55	29/28	14/14/13	2/2/1
be. False advertising	84/84	59/56	26/28	62/64	20/20	12/12	22/3
be. Too much advertising (only kids)		24	51			21	1

55. Which of the following two statements comes closer to your own view? (Items rotated.)

The federal government needs to regulate what is on the Internet more than television and newspapers because the Internet can be used to gain easier access to dangerous information.	57	56
The Internet is like television and newspapers, and regulation of what is on the Internet would violate the constitutional freedom of the press and speech.	39	40
Don't know*	4	3

H. PRIVACY

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

56. Are you worried that some unauthorized person might gain access to your financial records or personal information such as health records on the Internet, or not?

If worried, are you...
56A. Very worried?... Somewhat worried?

Summary of results for 56/56A

YES, WORRIED (NET)	59	58	79
Very worried	21	21	34
Somewhat worried	25	25
Only worried a little	13	12	45
NO, NOT WORRIED	40	41	22
Don't know*	1	<1	<1

Asked only if worried that an unauthorized person might gain access to financial or personal information on the Internet.
57. Please tell me whether or not you are concerned that each of the following groups might gain access to your financial or personal records.

a. The government	38	38
b. Your employer	19	20
c. An insurance company	36	36
d. A credit bureau	37	37
e. Businesses trying to sell you something	47	46
f. Competitors of the company where you work	19	19
g. Criminals	53	54

Asked only if worried that an unauthorized person might gain access to financial or personal information on the Internet.
57A. To the best of your knowledge, has any unauthorized person ever gained access to your financial records or personal information over the Internet, or not?

Yes	7	7
No	89	91
Don't Know*	4	3

Asked only of respondents who have used a computer (i.e., who did not answer no to Question 3c.)
58. Have you ever made a purchase by credit card over the Internet, or not?

	Percent of current users	Percent of all adults
Yes	33/34	27/31
No	67/66	56/61

Asked only of respondents who have used a computer (i.e., who did not answer no to Question 3c.)
59. Have you ever provided your Social Security number or health information over the Internet, or not?

Yes	13	14
No	87	86

I. POLITICAL ACTIVITY

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

60. How likely are you to use the Internet to find information about candidates for public office or issues on the ballot?

Very likely	10	12
Somewhat likely	17	19
Not very likely	19	20
Not likely at all	49	48
No Internet access*	3	2
Don't know*	1	<1

Asked only of respondents who have used a computer (i.e., who did not answer no to Question 3c.)
61. During the past year, have you visited any political candidate's site on the Internet, or not?

Yes	10	13
No	72	87

Asked only of respondents who have used a computer (i.e., who did not answer no to Question 3c.)
62. During the past year, have you contributed money on the Internet to a charity or political candidate, or not?

Yes	12	2
No	88	98

J. OTHER

Answer Key:

Answers in black represent all adults polled over age 18.
Answers in red represent all adults age 18-59.
Answers in blue represent children age 10-17.
(Click on these answers to view the corresponding question in the children's survey.)
Responses marked with an asterisk (*) were volunteered.

Asked only of respondents who have children under age 18 at home and who have or use a computer at work or at home.
D01. Sometimes it's said that children are more comfortable with computers than their parents are. In general, do you think your children are more comfortable using computers than you are, less comfortable, or is there no difference?

More comfortable	50	49	40
Less comfortable	9	10	9
No difference	40	40	50
Children are too young to use computers*	1	1