• Approximately 73 percent of adults (about 133 million) are Internet users, up from 66 percent in 2005.
  • 16 percent of those are 18 and older
  • 87 percent of teenagers are online
• At the end of March 2006, 42 percent of Americans had high-speed Internet at home, up from 30 percent in March 2005, or a 40 percent increase.
• 48 million Americans - mostly those with high-speed at home - have posted content to the Internet (i.e. blogs, forums, etc.)
• About 36 million Americans - or 27% of internet users - say they download either music or video files and about half of them have found ways outside of traditional peer-to-peer networks or paid online services to swap their files.
• On a typical day in August 2006, 26 million Americans were using the internet for news or information about politics and the upcoming mid-term elections.
• 43 percent of internet users, or about 63 million American adults, bank online.

Social Networking
The concept of social networking sites, such as MySpace, Friendster, and Xanga, is incredible. It allows people from all over the world to share information and connect with one another. Appealing as that is, the potential risks lie in the amount of personal information members - especially young members - may divulge about themselves through videos, photos or written communication.

The social networking phenomenon is not a fad that will likely disappear. It is important for parents and guardians to become involved and aware of these sites and talk with their children about the safety issues surrounding them. Social networking sites have become so popular that some politicians, moviemakers, bands and businesses promote themselves through these sites. Learn more about Social Networking sites.

Blogs
Blogs are a relatively recent cyberspace phenomenon – and yet they are rapidly gaining in popularity and changing the way people communicate and even get their news. According to Wikipedia.org, “a Blog is a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), and they are displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.”

A recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey found that:

• Eight percent of Internet users, or about 12 million American adults, keep a blog
• 39 percent of internet users, or about 57 million American adults, read blogs – a significant increase since the fall of 2005.