Variance by Internet Non-user Segmentation

Broad attitudes are far less positive and urgent among “far users” compared to “near users”. However, results are not as polarized as might be expected. A significant number of “near users” report little interest in the Internet despite reporting an expectation to use the Internet or use it more regularly in the next year. At the same time, an equally significant number of “far users” report interest in the Internet or report an expectation to begin using the Internet “at some point” [Table 3].

This result is indicative of the complexity of motivations and perceptions that play a role in determining the likelihood of usage. It is this complexity that precipitated a more in-depth quantitative and qualitative examination of barriers to Internet usage.

  • 48 per cent of “new near users” disagree they have “no interest in using the Internet”, however, 31 per cent agree.
  • 58 per cent of “re-joining/accelerating users” disagree that they have “no interest in using the Internet”. On the other hand, close to one in four (24 per cent) agree.
  • 66 per cent of “new near users” agree that at some point they will have to begin using the Internet. However, 20 per cent disagree, not experiencing the same imperative, though they expect to begin using in the next year.
  • 64 per cent of “core non-users” agree they have “no interest in using the Internet”. That being the case, a sizeable one in four (25 per cent) of these most distant non-users disagree, reporting interest in the using the Internet. Disagreement rises to 36 per cent for “drop-out/infrequent users”.
  • 47 per cent of “drop-out/infrequent users” report that at some point they will have to start using the Internet. One in five “core non-users” (19 per cent) also agree.