PewInternet.org Broadband Colorado Broadband conference November 15, 2010 Denver Lee Rainie: Director, Pew Internet Project

2 Internet and Broadband Revolution

70 % 66%

Year-to-year % change in broadband adoption 10/5/20105 Trends in Home Broadband Adoption Source: Pew Internet Project, May 2010 tracking survey

Broadband adoption by community type

The personal impact of broadband Do more online activities Spend more time online Get more out of their online experiences The internet becomes a destination as video and other media experiences become richer The internet becomes a communications and information “hub” built into the rhythms of everyday life

The social impact of broadband Volume, velocity, variety of info increase – Long tail, passions/distractions The “people formerly known as the patients/audience” become publishers and broadcasters – and pundits/critics – 2/3 of online adults and 3/4 of online teens are content creators The “Daily Me” and “Daily Us” emerges as people customize info flows – >50% of adults customize digital info

Demographic factors correlated w/ broadband adoption Positive correlation (in order of importance) Negative correlation (in order of importance) Household income of $75,000 or more per year Having high school degree or less College degreeSenior citizen (age 65+) Parent with minor child at home Rural resident Married or living with partner Disabled Employed full timeAfrican-American Source: Pew Internet Project, April 2009 tracking survey 10/5/20109 Trends in Home Broadband Adoption

10 Wireless Revolution

Cell phone owners – 85% adults 96 % 90% 85% 58% Urban-84% Suburban-86% Rural-77%

Mobile internet connectors – 57% adults 62% 59% 55% Urban-60% Suburban-60% Rural-43%

New cell and wireless realities More than 2/3 of adults and 3/4 of teens use the cloud Web vs. apps struggle: 35% have apps; 24% use apps Features used by cell owners – 76% take pictures – 74% are texters (text overtakes talk in frequency in 2009) – 39% browse internet – 34% are users – 34% record videos – 34% play games – 33% play music – 30% are IM-ers – 7% participate in video calls

Digital divides shrink 34% of Americans have used the internet on handheld – Among all non-adopters, 14% have accessed internet on cell – Among African American non-adopters, 20% have done this – Among Hispanic non-adopters, 25% have done this

Impact of mobile revolution Information, media, people available anytime, anywhere, any device – Venues and availability of people and info shift People “control the playlist and “make the appointments” with media People’s attention to info and to others shifts – Truncates – “continuous partial attention” – Elongates – deep dives into subjects

16 Social Networking Revolution

Urban-64% Suburban-65% Rural-49%

Impact of social network revolution Tech social networking combines with other historic trends to transform social networks – Affluence and affordable technology, mobility, family composition and roles, labor markets/free agency, rise of DIY politics and religion What’s changed in social networks – Composition - tightly-bound, close groups give way to more loosely-knit, diverse networks – more segmented and layered – Way people use them – more important in stressful environments Social networks are more vivid and tied to creation of information/media – Merger of “real world” and “new media world” in a way that makes media more personal = social media

How do you convince non-users to adopt broadband?

By the numbers: Who’s not online? 21%…of American adults are not online 34% of non-users …have some past or current contact w/ internet 10% of non-users …want to use the internet in the future 61% of non-users …would need assistance getting online Source: Pew Internet Project, May 2010 tracking survey 10/5/ Trends in Home Broadband Adoption

Relevance & digital literacy are primary factors for not going online Source: Pew Internet Project, May 2010 tracking survey 10/5/ Trends in Home Broadband Adoption

The “value” proposition: Jobs + continuing education 10/5/ Jobs Health Learning Govt. News My community Source: Pew Internet Project, May 2010 tracking survey

The special role libraries can play “Opportunity for All” – key findings A third of Americans used computers at libraries last year Jobs and Careers: 40% of the library computer users were seeking career and employment help -- obs, resumes, training Education: 42% of library computer users were online for educational purposes -- homework, classes, degree prep Health and Wellness: 37% of library computer users were online for health-related purposes -- disease research, diet and nutrition, information about doctors

Social media as a “hook” for seniors Older adults are among the most resistant, but once converted they often come to see broadband as an everyday utility Renewed connections can provide a support network for people nearing retirement or beginning a new career Those with a chronic disease are especially likely to reach out for support online Social media bridges generational gaps and provides a shared space for interactions 10/5/ Trends in Home Broadband Adoption

National purposes paradox: Great apps, not much outcomes evidence Health care Education Energy and the environment Economic opportunity Government services Civic engagement Public safety

You and your goals 1.Expand public computer capacity to meet need with 451 desktops, 692 laptops, 69 ADA compliant workstations, and other equipment for PCC use. 2.Train library staff to teach basic computer skills to promote computer proficiency and broadband adoption and to teach courses on jobs skills development, healthcare, and other topics of interest to library patrons. 3.Public awareness to engage Colorado citizens: CSL will develop a statewide public awareness campaign and distribute collateral for local implementation. 4.Deliver training programs to PCC patrons: Libraries have agreed to partner with local bodies such as community colleges, schools, Chambers of Commerce, senior centers, and others to deliver training.

Be not afraid