America Offline

What percent of American adults do NOT use the internet?

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Pew Research Center

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. What is the big story the chart tells?

3. Explain one cause of the trend in the chart:

4. Explain one consequence of the trend in the chart:

5. Is this good or bad news?

6. List one question you have about this chart:

7. Describe the level of political participation of the15% of Americans who are offline:

8. Use the data from the chart to extrapolate what percent of American adults will be offline in 2030:

9. How well informed would you be without the internet?

10. Describe what you imagine the typical offline American would look like demographically:*

11. There are government programs to increase internet access for those who cannot afford or access it. In the comments section, explain whether you think it would benefit our country for more people to be online:

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Learning Extension

Read the entire Pew report about Americans and the internet.

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Action Extension

Consider how being offline would affect your knowledge of world affairs and politics. Using the data from the bonus chart below* create a typical offline American and share your imaginary person (and your ideas about their political participation) with the class.

And now a special gift from me to you: *Bonus Chart!!!

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Pew Research Center