The Digital Age: Nonmetropolitan Nebraskans’ Use of Technology, 2011 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Authors

Rebecca J. Vogt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Randolph L. Cantrell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Bradley D. Lubben, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
onnie Reimers-Hild, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2011

Document Type

Article

Citation

Center for Applied Rural Innovation, CARI Research Report (July 2011) 11-1, 36 pages

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Also available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu/pdf/11technology.pdf

Abstract

Most rural Nebraskans use the Internet or email from home. The groups most likely to use the Internet or email from home include: persons living in or near larger communities, residents of the Panhandle region, persons with higher household incomes, younger persons, females, married persons, persons with higher education levels and persons with management, professional or education occupations. The Internet applications used by the majority of rural Nebraskans include: research, looking for health information, purchasing a product, watching a video and social networking.

Most rural Nebraskans have positive opinions about shopping online: that the Internet is the best place to buy items that are hard to find, it is convenient, and it saves time. In addition, the majority of respondents disagree that shopping online is complicated. However, most rural Nebraskans also have some concerns about shopping online. The majority don’t like giving their credit card number or personal information online and they prefer to see the things they buy before they purchase them. In general, rural Nebraskans have positive opinions about online learning and education. They believe the Internet is a useful way to take formal courses or training programs to further their education or professional needs, researching health information online can help people better manage their health, online health information can help people decide whether or not to see a doctor and the Internet is useful to teach themselves new things or find answers to their questions. However, when asked about the quality of information found online, opinions were mixed.

Most rural Nebraskans agree that the Internet is useful for researching online government services, downloading government forms and distributing information on public health, food safety, or national security issues. When asked about using the Internet to renew licenses or registrations or to pay taxes, fines or fees, opinions were mixed on how convenient it is. But, persons that have completed these transactions online have positive opinions about them.

Most rural Nebraskans express positive sentiments about some aspects of online social networks – believing they are a good way to keep up with friends and family, they offer support to people who are isolated by geography or disability, and they can be a source of information and advice. However, the majority don’t trust that people on social network sites are accurately representing themselves and think online social networks have become a substitute for face-to-face communication. Opinions are mixed on whether these sites are a good way to make new friends, if they connect people with similar interests, and if they are a good place to keep track of causes that people support. Most persons who have used a social networking site believe they connect people with similar interests and are a good place to keep track of causes that people support.

Most rural Nebraskans have a cell phone and many use them to access the Internet. Persons living in or near larger communities, South Central region residents, persons with higher household incomes, younger persons, females, persons with higher education levels and persons with healthcare support or public safety occupations are the groups most likely to access the Internet with their cell phone.