Computer and Internet Use Questions

November 2019 CPS Computer and Internet Use
Supplement
Final Instrument
This month we are asking some additional questions about the Internet,
computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other Internet-connected devices. First, we
All households will ask what types of computers and other devices [you/members of your
household] currently use. Please focus on devices [you/members of your
household] currently have access to, and have used at least occasionally during
the past six months. We are interested in devices used at any location, whether at
home, work, school, a library, or anywhere else.
CMPINT

[Do you/Does anyone in this household, including you,] use a desktop computer?
(If needed) A desktop is a personal computer that is too large or heavy to be
All households frequently moved from place to place. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who
is that?
DESKTP

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about a laptop or notebook? [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use a
laptop or notebook computer? (If needed) A laptop, sometimes known as a
All households notebook, is a personal computer that is portable and includes a built-in keyboard
and screen. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
LAPTOP

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about a tablet or e-book reader, such as an iPad or Kindle? (If needed) [Do
you/Does anyone in this household] use a tablet or e-book reader? (If yes & is
All households multi-person household) Who is that?
TABLET

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about a smartphone, or a cell phone that connects to the Internet? (If
needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use a smartphone? (If yes & is
All households multi-person household) Who is that?
MPHONE

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
[Do you/Does anyone in this household] use a wearable device that is connected
to the Internet, such as a smart watch or fitness band? Examples include an Apple
All households Watch or Fitbit. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
WEARAB

Enter persons by line number (1-16)

1

[Do you/Does anyone in this household] use a smart TV, a game or video system,
or another device that connects to the Internet and plays through a TV? Examples
All households include an Xbox, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, or a Blu-Ray player that can
access the Internet. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
TVBOX

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
Next, we will ask where [you/members of your household] currently use the
Internet. Please focus on places where [you/members of your household] have
All households used the Internet at least occasionally during the past six months. People can use
the Internet in many places, such as at work, school, or a library. Internet use
includes a wide variety of activities, from checking email or browsing the Web to
watching videos or using mobile apps. We are interested in all forms of Internet
use on all devices, including the ones we just discussed.
INTINT

[Do you/Does anyone in this household, including you,] use the Internet at home?
This includes accessing the Internet with a cell phone, computer, tablet, or other
All households device. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
INHOME

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
If any PEMLR[1-16] == 1 or 2 (anyone in the household is employed), go to INWORK
Else go to INSCHL
INWORK
HHs w/ at least 1
employed person

What about at work? [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at
work? (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

What about at school? [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at
school? Please count students only, and do not include online classes. (If yes & is
All households multi-person household) Who is that?
INSCHL

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about at a coffee shop or other business that offers Internet access? (If
needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet while at a coffee
All households shop or other business that offers Internet access? (If yes & is multi-person
household) Who is that?
INCAFE

Enter persons by line number (1-16)

2

What about while going from one place to another? Examples include using the
Internet while riding public transit, or using the GPS on your cell phone while
All households driving. (If needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet
while going from one place to another? (If yes & is multi-person household) Who
is that?
INTRAV

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about at a library, community center, park, or other public place? (If
needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at a library,
All households community center, park, or other public place? (If yes & is multi-person
household) Who is that?
INLICO

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
What about at someone else’s home? (If needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this
household] use the Internet at someone else’s home? (If yes & is multi-person
All households household) Who is that?
INELHO

Enter persons by line number (1-16)
INOTHR
All households

[Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at some other location
we haven’t covered? (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

If HRNUMHOU > 1 & (total persons where any IN* == 1) < HRNUMHOU (this is a multiperson household and not everyone was reported as using the Internet), go to NETCHK
Else if any IN*[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online anywhere), go to TCHINT
Else go to NONINT
Based on your responses, it sounds like (list names where all IN* != 1) [does/do]
not use the Internet. [Does/Do] [he/she/these people in your household] use the
Multi-person
Internet from any location, and for any purpose? (If additional users) Who uses
HHs reporting
the Internet from any location, and for any purpose?
any non-Internet
NETCHK

users

Fill appropriate lines if necessary; locations of use will be allocated

If any IN*[1-16] or NETCHK == 1 (anyone goes online anywhere), go to TCHINT
Else go to NONINT
TCHINT
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

Next, we are interested in learning about the specific technologies households use
to go online. Please focus on how your household as a whole connects to the
Internet.

3

MOBDAT
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

[Do you/Does anyone in this household] access the Internet using a data plan for a
cell phone, smartphone, tablet, mobile hotspot, or other device? This type of
Internet service is provided by a wireless carrier, and may be part of a package
that also includes voice calls from a cell phone or smartphone.
(1) Yes
(2) No

If any INHOME[1-16] == 1 & MOBDAT == 1 (anyone goes online at home and household
has a mobile data plan), go to HMINT1
Else if INHOME[1-16] == 1 & MOBDAT == 2 (anyone goes online at home but household
does not have a mobile data plan), go to HMINT2
Else go to USEINT
HMINT1
HHs w/ any
home Internet
users &
MOBDAT == 1

In addition to [your/your household’s] mobile Internet service or data plan, we are
interested in whether [you/your household] also use[s] any other type of Internet
service when at home.

Go to HOMTE
HMINT2
HHs w/ any
home Internet
users &
MOBDAT == 2

HOMTE
HHs w/ any
home Internet
users

You mentioned that [you/someone in this household/members of this household]
use[s] the Internet at home.

I am going to read a list of ways that people access the Internet from their homes,
other than a mobile data plan. At home, [do you/does anyone in this household]
access the Internet using:
Read and select all that apply
(1) High-speed Internet service installed at home, such as cable, DSL, or fiberoptic service? (If needed) This type of Internet service is often provided by a
cable company or phone company.
(Go to HOMSU)
(2) Satellite Internet service? (If needed) This type of Internet service is received
through a satellite dish installed at home.
(Go to HOMSU)
(3) Dial-up service?
(Go to HOMSU)
(4) Some other service?
(Go to TEOTHR)
(5) (Do not read) None
(Go to HOMSU)

4

TEOTHR

What other service?

HHs w/ any
home Internet
users &
HOMTE4 == 1

Enter verbatim response

HOMSU

Thinking about the company or organization that provides your home Internet
service, who provides your Internet service?

HHs w/ any
home Internet
users

Read and select best match
(1) Internet service is provided by a company that sells Internet service, such as a
cable or phone company.
(2) Internet service is provided by a nonprofit organization, public agency, or
cooperative that sells Internet service.
(3) Internet service is provided for the entire apartment building, condominium,
campus, or other community and included in housing costs.
(4) Internet service is publicly available and provided at no charge.
(5) Internet service is provided through some other method.

PECOMP
HHs w/ any
home Internet
users

To the best of your knowledge, are there [(If HOMETE1 == 1) other / (Else) any]
cable or phone companies or organizations where you live that would offer highspeed Internet service installed in your home, such as cable, DSL, or fiber-optic
service?
(1) Yes
(2) No

Random age 15+ Internet user in household (any IN*[1-16] or NETCHK == 1 & PRTAGE
>= 15) selected for questions EMAIL-HOMIOT.
If all Internet users are under 15 years old, skip to MEDINT.
USEINT
Random
respondents

We are interested in learning about the applications and services people
commonly use with the Internet. [(If is multi-person household) We have
randomly selected one member of your household for this section.] Consider how
[you personally/NAME] currently use[s] the technologies we’ve been discussing,
whether at home or any other location. Please focus on activities [you
have/NAME has] done online at least occasionally during the past six months,
using an Internet-connected device such as a computer, tablet, or cell phone.

EMAIL

[Do you/Does NAME] use email?

Random
respondents

(1) Yes
(2) No

5

TEXTIM
Random
respondents

SOCIAL
Random
respondents

CONFER
Random
respondents

What about texting or instant messaging? [Do you/Does NAME] text or use
instant messaging?
(1) Yes
(2) No
What about using social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? (If
needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use social networks?
(1) Yes
(2) No
In the past six months, [have you/has NAME] participated in video or voice calls
or conferencing over the Internet, such as with Skype or FaceTime? (If needed)
[Do you/Does NAME] participate in video or voice calls or conferencing?
(1) Yes
(2) No

VIDEO
Random
respondents

AUDIO
Random
respondents

What about streaming or watching videos? [Do you/Does NAME] watch videos
over the Internet? Examples include YouTube and Netflix.
(1) Yes
(2) No
What about streaming or downloading music, radio programs, or podcasts? (If
needed) [Do you/Does NAME] stream or download music, radio programs, or
podcasts?
(1) Yes
(2) No

PUBLSH
Random
respondents

What about posting or uploading blog posts, original videos, or other content that
[you/NAME] created? Do not include photos or videos taken for personal use and
shared to social media. (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] publish or upload
original content that [you/NAME] created to the Internet?
(1) Yes
(2) No

If PEMLR[selected respondent] == 1 or 2 (respondent is employed), go to TELEWK
Else go to JOBSCH

6

TELEWK
Employed
random
respondents

JOBSCH
Random
respondents

[Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet to telecommute or work while away from
[your/his/her] usual workplace, such as working from home?
(1) Yes
(2) No
In the past six months, [have you/has NAME] used the Internet to search or apply
for a job? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet to search or apply
for a job?
(1) Yes
(2) No

EDTRAI
Random
respondents

USESVC
Random
respondents

What about online classes or job training? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use
the Internet for educational classes or job training?
(1) Yes
(2) No
What about requesting services provided by other people, for example hailing a
ride using Uber or Lyft, reserving a room through Airbnb, or requesting a home
repair through Angie’s List? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet to
request services provided by other people?
(1) Yes
(2) No

ESRVCS
Random
respondents

What about offering [your/his/her] own services for sale via the Internet?
Examples include offering rentals on Airbnb and driving for Uber or Lyft. Do not
include any goods or possessions sold online, such as clothing, shoes, or crafts. (If
needed) [Do you/Does NAME] offer [your/his/her] own services for sale via the
Internet?
(1) Yes
(2) No

ECOMME
Random
respondents

In the past six months, [have you/has NAME] used the Internet for online
shopping, travel reservations, or other consumer services on the Internet? (If
needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet for online shopping, travel
reservations, or other consumer services?
(1) Yes
(2) No

7

EGOODS
Random
respondents

FINANC
Random
respondents

HOMIOT
Random
respondents

[Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet to sell goods? Examples include selling
items on Etsy or eBay.
(1) Yes
(2) No
[Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet for financial services such as banking,
investing, or paying bills online?
1) Yes
2) No
What about interacting with household equipment or appliances that are
connected to the Internet, such as a connected thermostat, light bulb, or security
system? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the Internet to interact with
household equipment or appliances?
(1) Yes
(2) No

MEDINT
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

MEDDOC
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

MEDREC
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

MEDINF
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

(If multi-person household) Our remaining questions are about your household as
a whole. (All) I’m going to ask a couple of questions about how [you have/your
household has] used the Internet for health-related activities during the past six
months.
[Do you/Does anyone in this household, including you,] communicate with a
doctor or other health professional using the Internet?
(1) Yes
(2) No
What about accessing health records or health insurance records online? (If
needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] access health records or health
insurance records online?
(1) Yes
(2) No
[Do you/Does anyone in this household] research health information online, such
as with WebMD or similar services?
(1) Yes
(2) No

8

MEDMON
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

[Do you/Does anyone in this household] use an electronic health monitoring
service that collects and sends data to your doctor or health care provider through
the Internet? Examples include connected devices that monitor vital statistics,
blood glucose levels, or blood pressure.
(1) Yes
(2) No

UHHINT
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

PSPRE
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

(If multi-person household) We are interested in learning generally, without
identifying specific people, what challenges your household has had while using
the Internet.
(If single-person household) We are interested in learning what challenges you
have had while using the Internet.
During the past year, have concerns about privacy or security stopped
[you/anyone in this household] from doing any of these activities online:
Read and select all that apply
(1) Conducting financial transactions such as banking, investing, or paying bills
online?
(2) Buying goods or services online?
(3) Posting photos, status updates, or other information on social networks?
(4) Expressing an opinion on a controversial or political issue on a blog or social
network, or in a forum, email or any other venue?
(5) Searching for information using a platform such as Google Search, Yahoo
Search, Microsoft Bing, or another web search engine?
(6) (Do not read) None of the above

PSCON
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

Overall, what concerns [you/members of this household] the most when it comes
to online privacy and security risks?
Do not read; select all that apply and/or enter verbatim response if other
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Identity theft
Credit card or banking fraud
Data collection or tracking by online services
Data collection or tracking by government
Loss of control over personal data such as email or social network profiles
Threats to personal safety, such as online harassment, stalking, or cyberbullying
(7) No concerns
(8) Other: ___________________________

9

PSCYBA
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

CBULLY
HHs w/ any
Internet users,
any location

During the past year, [have you/has any member of your household] been affected
by an online security breach, identity theft, or a similar crime?
(1) Yes
(2) No
During the past year, [have you/has any member of your household] experienced
online harassment, stalking, or cyber-bullying?
(1) Yes
(2) No

If any INHOME[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online at home) & any {INWORK, INSCHL,
INCAFE, INTRAV, INLICO, INELHO, INOTHR}[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online outside
the home), go to TVINT
Else if any INHOME[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online at home), go to OUTINT
Else go to NHMINT
NHMINT
HHs w/ any
Internet users, but
none from home

You previously mentioned that [you/members of your household] use the Internet
in some places, but not at home.

Go to EVRHOM
(If multi-person household) Our remaining questions are about your household as
a whole. We are interested in learning why households such as yours do not use
HHs w/o any
the Internet.
Internet users
(If single-person household) For our remaining questions, we are interested in
from anywhere
learning why you do not use the Internet.
NONINT

EVRHOM

[Have you/Has anyone in this household] ever used the Internet from home?

HHs w/o any
home Internet
users

(1) Yes
(2) No

10

NOHM
HHs w/o any
home Internet
users

What are the reasons why [you/members of your household] do not use the
Internet at home?
Do not read; select all that apply and/or enter verbatim response if other
(1) Don’t need it or not interested
(2) Can’t afford it
(3) Not worth the cost
(4) Can use it elsewhere
(5) Not available in area
(6) No computing device, or device inadequate or broken
(7) Online privacy or cybersecurity concerns
(8) Personal safety concerns
(9) Household moved or is in the process of moving
(10) Other: ____________________________

If more than one NOHM response given, go to PRINOH
Else go to PSENSI
PRINOH
HHs w/o any
home Internet
users & more
than one NOHM
response

PSENSI
HHs w/o any
home Internet
users

Of the reasons you just listed for not going online at home, which [do you/does
your household] consider to be the most important?
Read previous responses if needed; select best match and/or enter verbatim
response if other
(1) Don’t need it or not interested
(2) Can’t afford it
(3) Not worth the cost
(4) Can use it elsewhere
(5) Not available in area
(6) No computing device, or device inadequate or broken
(7) Online privacy or cybersecurity concerns
(8) Personal safety concerns
(9) Household moved or is in the process of moving
(10) Other: ____________________________
Would [you/your household] buy home Internet service if it were offered at a
lower price?
(1) Yes
(2) No

If any IN*[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online anywhere), go to TVINT
Else go to EVROUT

11

OUTINT
HHs w/ any
home Internet
users, but no use
at other locations

EVROUT
HHs w/o any
Internet users
from locations
other than home

NOOU
HHs w/o any
Internet users
from locations
other than home

You previously mentioned that [you/members of your household] use the Internet
at home, but not at other locations.

[Have you/Has anyone in this household] ever used the Internet from a location
other than home?
(1) Yes
(2) No
What are the reasons why [you/members of your household] do not use the
Internet outside the home?
Do not read; select all that apply and/or enter verbatim response if other
(1) Don’t need it or not interested
(2) Can’t afford it
(3) Not worth the cost
(4) Nowhere to go that has it
(5) No computing device, or device inadequate or broken
(6) No mobile device, or mobile device inadequate or broken
(7) Online privacy or cybersecurity concerns
(8) Personal safety concerns
(9) Household moved and is no longer near previous Internet use location
(10) Other: ____________________________

If more than one NOOUT response given, go to PRINOO
Else go to TVINT

12

PRINOO
HHs w/o any
Internet users
from locations
other than home
& more than one
NOOU response

TVINT
All households

Of the reasons you just listed for not going online outside the home, which [do
you/does your household] consider to be the most important?
Read previous responses if needed; select best match and/or enter verbatim
response if other
(1) Don’t need it or not interested
(2) Can’t afford it
(3) Not worth the cost
(4) Nowhere to go that has it
(5) No computing device, or device inadequate or broken
(6) No mobile device, or mobile device inadequate or broken
(7) Online privacy or cybersecurity concerns
(8) Personal safety concerns
(9) Household moved and is no longer near previous Internet use location
(10) Other: ____________________________
Our last few questions are about the use of cable TV and satellite TV services not
accessed through the Internet.

[Do you/Does anyone in this household] subscribe to cable TV or satellite TV?
This often requires a cable box or satellite dish. Do not include TV streaming
All households subscriptions, such as Netflix, Sling TV, or Hulu.
TRADTV

(1) Yes
(2) No
PREVTV
HHs w/o any
cable TV
subscribers

(End Interview)
(Go to PREVTV)

[Have you/Has anyone in this household] ever subscribed to cable TV or satellite
TV? Do not include TV streaming subscriptions, such as Netflix, Sling TV, or
Hulu.
(1) Yes
(2) No

13

NOTV
HHs w/o any
cable TV
subscribers

What are the reasons why [you/members of your household] do not subscribe to a
service providing access to TV channels?
Do not read; select all that apply and/or enter verbatim response if other
(1) Using Internet-based video services instead
(2) Don’t need it or not interested
(3) Can’t afford it
(4) Not worth the cost
(5) Can watch at another location
(6) Can watch using an antenna
(7) Not available in area
(8) No television, or television inadequate or broken
(9) Household moved or is in the process of moving
(10) Previously experienced poor customer service
(11) Previously experienced poor quality
(12) Other: _____________________________

14