YNOT – A recent survey by the Pew Research Center discovered a decline in the number of American adults using the internet during 2009. The center blamed what it called “a slight drop” from 79 percent in April to 74 percent in December on the inclusion of Spanish-speaking Americans aged 18 and older in the most recent study. The April survey included only English-speaking adults, according to a report issued Jan. 5.Pew also discovered 60 percent of American adults use broadband connections at home, another slight drop from the 63 percent reported in April. The number of American adults connecting to the web wirelessly through laptops and cell phones did not change, remaining at 55 percent.

In addition, the center’s December survey looked at demographics of internet users. Results indicated American adults who connect to the web primarily are young, white and educated. Woman use the web as often as men.

Across gender and ethnic backgrounds, 93 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 log on to the web. The second most aggressive consumers of electronic content are those aged 30-49 (81 percent).

Seventy-six percent of white American adults said they use the internet, compared to only 59 percent of African-Americans and 55 percent of Hispanics. In terms of income, households earning $75,000 or more per year are the most likely to be connected: 94 percent of them maintain web access of some kind.

Initiatives to encourage internet adoption in rural areas may be having an effect, survey results indicated. Usage across urban, suburban and rural respondents was evenly balanced at 74 percent, 77 percent and 70 percent, respectively.

The study’s generalizations were based on a survey conducted between Nov. 30 and Dec. 27, during which more than 2,250 participants were interviewed by phone.