Contact: Hairong Li, Department of Advertising, 011-65-9899-8798, hairong@msu.edu; or Russ White, University Relations, (517) 432-0923, whiterus@msu.edu

10/22/2003

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Sixty-four percent of Internet users in Michigan visited the State of Michigan Web sites during the past year, up from 59 percent a year ago, a Michigan State University statewide survey recently found.

The survey shows that Internet users account for 76 percent of the Michigan adult population, a steady increase from 73 percent in 2002 and 67 percent in 2001. The survey included telephone interviews with 975 adults, and the margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent.

“The most significant finding of this survey is that Internet users are less concerned with online privacy and security when they use government websites,” said Hairong Li, an MSU associate professor of advertising and principal investigator of the survey.

The results indicate that 41 percent of Internet users were very or somewhat concerned with the privacy of personal information and 42 percent were very or somewhat concerned with the security of personal data while using government Web sites.

Sixty percent of Internet users in Michigan visited federal government Web sites, the same as in 2002. However, the percentage of Internet users who visited local government Web sites increased to 44 percent in 2003 from 38 percent in 2002.

Categorical use of the state government portal – www.michigan.gov – was measured for the first time in this survey. The percentage of Internet users who visited the six main sections of the portal was: 48 percent for travel, tourism and recreation; 46 percent for Michigan government; 38 percent for education and career development; 30 percent for licensing, certification and permits; 21 percent for business services; and 18 percent for family, health and safety.

Although 79 percent of men and 73 percent of women reported using the Internet in the survey, there was no gender difference in the use of federal, state and local government Web sites. Among the users of state government Web sites, 27 percent said they were very satisfied with the information and services available on government Web sites and 67 percent were somewhat satisfied.

This statewide survey was conducted between April and June 2003 by the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) at Michigan State University. IPPSR is the nonpartisan public policy network at MSU.