Internet Connectivity

The internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information and conduct their day-to-day lives. Explore the patterns, trends and statistics of internet and home broadband adoption in the United States.

Today, nearly all U.S. teens (96%) say they use the internet every day. And the share of teens who report being online “almost constantly” has roughly doubled since 2014-2015 (24% vs. 46%).

Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.

Pew Research Center’s political typology sorts Americans into cohesive, like-minded groups based on their values, beliefs, and views about politics and the political system. Use this tool to compare the groups on some key topics and their demographics.

Rural adults are less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Black and Hispanic Americans remain less likely than White adults to say they own a traditional computer or have high-speed internet at home.

Smartphone ownership and home broadband adoption are up slightly since 2019. And 30% of Americans say they at least sometimes experience problems connecting to the internet at home.

Some 15% of all home broadband users in the U.S. say they have had trouble paying for their high-speed internet service during the pandemic.

Today, 25% of adults ages 65 and older report never going online, compared with much smaller shares of adults under the age of 65.

The share of U.S. adults who now report that they go online “almost constantly” has risen to 31%, up from 21% in 2015.