MOTIVATIONS FOR AND BARRIERS TO INTERNET USAGE - RESULTS OF A NATIONAL PUBLIC-OPINION SURVEY

Analyzes a national random telephone survey, carried out in October 19 95, on the motivations for and barriers to Internet usage. Eight perce nt of the random sample reported being Internet users, while surprisin gly another 8 percent reported being former users. In total, 85 percen t of respondents reported having heard of the Internet. The survey sho wed evidence of a digital divide, Internet users being generally wealt hier and more highly educated, and blacks and Hispanics disproportiona tely unaware of the Internet. Social and work networks appear to be im portant for stimulating interest in the Internet and providing users w ith support. As to reasons for using the Internet, socio-personal deve lopment appears to be the key driver, while nonusers have a decidedly different set of beliefs about the Internet's value. As to the barrier s to Internet usage, even experienced users find it difficult to get s tarted, which confirms other studies of this topic. Barriers include c ost and difficulties in understanding how to use the Internet. Conclud es that the results of the survey indicate that people strongly desire an easier-to-use Internet.