Students Always Logged In

By: Matthew D'Amore

Ever wonder who makes up the majority of Internet users in the U.S.? A recent survey says it’s college students.
The survey by Pew Internet and American Life project shows that the internet is a student’s best friend. The survey found that 89 percent of students use the Internet on a daily basis.
“Well of course the Internet is being used mostly by college students,” says Justine Thompson, a freshman at the local Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. “I mean me and my roommates are always on pretty much everyday, and that‘s the same with everyone else I know.”
The survey also found 52 percent of students use the Internet to check email or send instant messages to family and friends.
Paul Sawyer, 20 from Northboro, Mass., is a sophomore at Stonehill College isn't surprised.
“When I go online, most of the time is spent either talking to my friends back home or sending emails to my parents.”
The survey also shows that 38 percent of students use the internet for mostly academic reasons. The rest use it for mostly recreational.
Tori Kuketz, 18, from Pembroke, Mass., says she goes online to check her Facebook, e-mail or to talk with friends.
Other students said that is how life is for people today.
“I mean the Internet is such a big part of our lives now,” says Brendan O’Donnell, a sophomore at Stonehill College. “Students used to not even have computers either, but now it seems like every college kid has a laptop.
“I mean if you take a look around just at Stonehill, there’s a lot of places that have Internet access, as well as classrooms with computers in them. So it’s a no-brainer why college kids are online more than anyone else.”
Several students said they averaged about 18 hours online each week, between looking things up for class, checking school and personal e-mail and checking in with family and friends..
“I spend at least 20 hours per week,” said Thompson. “What can I say, it’s my way of life and I couldn’t live without it.”
-mdamore@student.stonehill.edu