Hispanics, African Americans and Broadband Adoption

Only 42 percent of African Americans and Hispanics regularly use the Internet, yet they overwhelmingly agree that Internet access is critical to achieving success, according to new findings from a national survey of 900 minority adults conducted by Brilliant Corners Research, led by Pollster Cornell Belcher.

Poll respondents strongly agree on several Internet-enabled, life-changing benefits that make access so valuable:

• More than 60 percent (64%) of those polled strongly believe the Internet is important, because students with access can receive tutoring and help with their homework.
• Forty-three percent of respondents strongly agree that students with Internet access achieve higher grades.
• More than three in five (61%) strongly feel households with Internet access have greater access to commerce, education, health care, entertainment and communication.
• Approximately half (48%) strongly agree that Internet is valuable, because tech-connected families receive more health information.
• More than 60 percent (62%) strongly believe individuals with Internet access have more opportunities to work from home.
• Nearly seven in ten (68%) respondents strongly agree that small business owners with Internet access are better able to reach and expand their customer base.
• One in two (51%) strongly feel Internet access increases awareness and access to government services.
• Most of the respondents said they accessed the Internet from home - 78 percent - and slightly more than two-thirds (68%) said they access the Internet from a private portal, as opposed to a public portal, such as at anchor institutions like the library.