Dec. 31, 2002

The Internet has become a major source of information for Americans, according to a new survey compiled by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. The study says that two-thirds of Americans expect online sources will provide the information they need on health, government, news and commerce.

A summary of the report released December 29 says that regular Internet users and even non-users have high expectations for online information sources. Three-fourths of Internet users say they've had positive experiences in finding what they need. Many of them say it is the first source to which they'll turn in a search for information.

When questioned specifically about where they'll go for information the next time they need it, 58 percent of Internet users say they'll go online in search of government information, compared to only 28 percent who say they would use the telephone.