I think we’ve all said at one time or another, “Everyone uses the internet.” You would be partially right — like so many broad, unsubstantiated statements.

The Pandemic has definitely driven up overall usage. Pew Research Center reports that 31% of U.S. adults go online “almost constantly.” 

Surprisingly, Pew (study conducted in January-February 2021) found that 7% of U.S. adults do not use the internet at all. That’s more than 23 million people, according to Mark math.

High internet usage is driven by age, high household income, where you live (urban vs. rural) and education. According to the study, one quarter of people 65+ don’t use the internet. What the survey should have done is break down the difference between people 65 and 80. At 65, if you don’t use the internet, you will have difficulty with Medicare and Social Security.

To me, this is simple survey ageism. The other Age Categories bridge 11 to 19 years in duration. The 65+ cohort spans 35+ years — that is only a nine-year difference from all the other age categories combined.

The Pew survey does show that the internet of things is becoming more and more a part of our lives. More than 8 in 10 U.S. adults go online at least daily (with 8% going online less than daily).

As the pandemic cools, the results may continue to show more internet usage. This trend has been growing steadily. The pandemic accelerated the trend, as if pushing the internet-of-things pedal to the floor.

Mark Mathis III is chief creative & strategy officer, partner and cofounder of AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising.