March 15, 2010
3/15: Intelligent Life Online?
Does the Internet “dumb” Americans down? That’s the question the Marist Poll asked in its latest national survey. And, the answer is, “No,” for more than two-thirds. 68% of residents think the Internet makes us smarter while just 23% believe it has made us less intelligent. 9% are unsure.
istockphoto.com/Henrik500
Perhaps, one of the most interesting findings is there is no generation gap on this question. 69% of Americans younger than 45 report the Internet makes us more intelligent, and the same proportion of those 45 and older agree.
But, women have a slightly better perception of the so-called Information Superhighway than do men. 71% of women think the Internet makes us smarter while 66% of men agree.