The Internet and Life Decisions

Internet plays bigger role in life decisions says poll.

Nearly half of U.S. users of the Internet went online for help with major life decisions such as finding a college for their child or looking for a new place to live, according to a survey released on Wednesday.

Some 45 percent of Internet users, or an estimated 60 million Americans, said the Internet helped them make big decisions or face a major moment in their life during the previous two years, the survey found. That was up from 40 percent of Internet users who answered the same survey questions in 2002.

Pew Internet and American Life poll

60 million Americans, say that the internet helped them make big decisions or negotiate their way through major episodes in their lives.

54% in the number of adults who said the internet played a major role as they helped another person cope with a major illness.
And the number of those who said the internet played a major role as they coped themselves with a major illness increased 40%.
50% in the number who said the internet played a major role as they pursued more training for their careers.
45% in the number who said the internet played a major role as they made major investment or financial decisions.
43% in the number who said the internet played a major role when they looked for a new place to live.
42% in the number who said the internet played a major role as they decided about a school or a college for themselves or their children.
23% in the number who said the internet played a major role when they bought a car.
14% in the number who said the internet played a major role as they switched jobs.