7/22: Nearly One in Five Internet Users Regret Online Behavior

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner’s sexting scandal sent shock waves throughout the nation.  But, can American Internet users relate to Mr. Weiner’s questionable online behavior?

Click Here for Complete July 22, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

Although 82% of Internet users nationally say they have never sent or said anything over the Internet that they regret, a notable 18% have.

Younger Internet users are more likely than older ones to have engaged in regrettable online actions.  24% of Internet users younger than 45 years old compared with 13% of those 45 and older report this to be the case.  And, men who use the Internet — 21% — are slightly more likely than female Internet users — 15% — to have sent or said something online they wish they could take back.

In general, what kind of impact does social media like Facebook have on relationships?  Half of Internet users nationwide — 50% — think social media does more harm than good.  About one-third — 33% — report social media does more good than harm, and 17% are unsure.  Similar proportions of adults overall share these views.  51% of residents think social media does more harm than good while nearly three in ten adults — 29% — think it has a positive impact.  20% are unsure.

Table: Personal Online Practices
Table: Social Media: More Good Than Harm or More Harm Than Good?

Marist Poll Methodology

7/18: Internet MD’s: Nearly Four in Ten Americans Self-Diagnose Using the Web

When ill, a sizeable proportion of the American population turns to the Internet to uncover the cause of their illness.  According to this national Marist Poll, 37% of adults nationally say they self-diagnose using the Internet at least sometimes.  This includes 6% who always go online to self-diagnose, 7% who do so often, and nearly one in four — 24% — who act as “cyber doctor” some of the time.  However, one in ten residents — 10% — seldom self-diagnose online, and a majority — 53% — never do.

Click Here for Complete July 18, 2011 USA Marist Poll Release and Tables

“Younger Americans are more likely to think the Internet makes them medical experts.  Those under 45 are also less likely than older Americans to get an annual checkup,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  ”And, no surprise here, women are more likely than men to schedule an annual checkup.”

Overall, only 54% of Americans report they go to the doctor every year for a checkup.  36% visit their physician just when they are sick, and one in ten — 10% — say they never go to the doctor.

Table: Self-diagnose Using the Internet
Table: Frequency of Doctor’s Visit

Marist Poll Methodology