NTIA Internet Use Survey

November 2021 NTIA Internet Use Survey
Final Draft for OMB Review
CMPINT
All households

DESKTP
All households

This month we are asking some additional questions about the Internet, as well as
computers, mobile phones, tablets, and other devices that connect to the Internet.
First, we 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.
[Do you/Does anyone in this household, including you,] use a desktop computer
at least occasionally? Include any desktop computers [you/members of your
household] currently have access to and have used during the past six months. (If
needed) A desktop is a personal computer that is too large or heavy to be
frequently moved from place to place. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who
is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

LAPTOP
All households

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

TABLET
All households

What about a tablet or e-book reader, such as an iPad or Kindle? (If needed) A
tablet or e-book reader is a personal computer that is portable and has a built-in
screen, but does not have a built-in physical keyboard. (If yes & is multi-person
household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

MPHONE
All households

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
multi-person household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

WEARAB
All households

[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
Watch or Fitbit. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

1

TVBOX
All households

[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
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?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

If any (DESKTP LAPTOP TABLET MPHONE WEARAB TVBOX)[1-16] == 1 (anyone in
the household uses any device), go to DEVQUA
Else go to INTINT
DEVQUA
Households w/
any device use

Thinking about all the different devices we just discussed, how well do the
computers and other Internet-connected devices [you use/used by this household]
work overall? Please do not include home Wi-Fi routers or similar equipment.
Read and select best match; if respondent is unsure, ask for an average
(1) They do not work at all
(2) They rarely work well
(3) They somewhat work
(4) They work well
(5) They work perfectly

DEVSTA
Households w/
any device use

During the last six months, how often were [you/members of your household]
unable to use a computer or other Internet-connected device because it was in use
by someone else, located elsewhere, or otherwise inaccessible?
Read and select best match
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

INTINT
All households

Never
During one or two days
During three or four days
During five or six days
During seven or more days

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
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.

2

INHOME
All households

[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
device. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
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
What about at work? [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at
work? Do not include work from home. (If yes & is multi-person household) Who
HHs w/ at least 1 is that?
INWORK

employed person

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

What about at school? [Do you/Does anyone in this household] use the Internet at
school? Please [only include use at school as a student/count students only], and
do not include taking online classes from a location other than a school campus.
(If yes & is multi-person household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

INCAFE
All households

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 shop or other business that offers Internet access? (If yes & is multi-person
household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

INTRAV
All households

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
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?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

INLICO
All households

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,
community center, park, or other public place? (If yes & is multi-person
household) Who is that?
Enter persons by line number (1-16)

3

INELHO
All households

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
household) Who is that?
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 HHs Internet from any location, and for any purpose? (If additional users) Who uses
reporting any
the Internet from any location, and for any purpose?
non-Internet users
NETCHK

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.

[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
HHs w/ any
Internet service is provided by a wireless carrier, and may be part of a package
Internet users, any
that also includes voice calls from a cell phone or smartphone.
location
MOBDAT

(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

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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
HHs w/ any home Internet service when at home.
HMINT1

Internet users &
MOBDAT == 1

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

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
HHs w/ any home household] access the Internet using:
HOMTE

Internet users

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 HNETQL)
(2) Satellite Internet service? (If needed) This type of Internet service is received
through a satellite dish installed at home.
(Go to HNETQL)
(3) Dial-up service?
(Go to HNETQL)
(4) Some other service?
(Go to TEOTHR)
(5) (Do not read) None
(Go to HNETQL)
TEOTHR

What other service?

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

verbatim response

In [your/your household’s] experience over the past six months, does your
[household’s] Internet connection at home fill [your/the household’s] needs,
HHs w/ any home including for speed, reliability, and, if applicable, data caps?
HNETQL

Internet users

(1) Yes
(2) No
HNETST

At any point during the past six months, did [you/this household] temporarily
lose a home Internet connection due to difficulty paying?

HHs w/ any home
Internet users
(1) Yes

(2) No

5

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

TEXTIM

What about texting or instant messaging? [Do you/Does NAME] text or use
instant messaging?

Random
respondents

SOCIAL
Random
respondents

GAMING
Random
respondents

(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
What about playing video games online, whether on a smartphone, console, PC,
or any other computing device? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the
Internet to play video games?
(1) Yes
(2) No

CONFER
Random
respondents

In the past six months, [have you/has NAME] participated in video or voice calls
or conferencing over the Internet, such as with Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom? (If
needed) [Do you/Does NAME] participate in video or voice calls or
conferencing?
(1) Yes
(2) No

6

VIDEO
Random
respondents

AUDIO
Random
respondents

What about streaming or downloading 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] listen to music, radio programs, or podcasts using
the Internet?
(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
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

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

7

EGOVTS
Random
respondents

What about accessing government services, such as registering to vote or
renewing your driver’s license? (If needed) [Do you/Does NAME] use the
Internet to access government services?
(1) Yes
(2) No

USESVC
Random
respondents

What about requesting services provided by other people, for example hailing a
ride using Uber, ordering food using DoorDash or Instacart, 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

EGOODS
Random
respondents

FINANC
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, paying bills online, or sending money to other people? Examples
include using your bank’s website or app, paying a credit card or utility bill
online, or sending money using Venmo or PayPal.
(1) Yes
(2) No

8

What about communicating with a digital assistant, such as Alexa, Siri, or Google
Assistant?

VOICEA
Random
respondents

(1) Yes
(2) No

HOMIOT
Random
respondents

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

(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
HHs w/ any
household has] used the Internet for health-related activities during the past six
Internet users, any
months.
location
MEDINT

MEDREC

[Do you/Does anyone in this household, including you,] access health records or
health insurance records online?

HHs w/ any
Internet users, any(1)
location

Yes
(2) No

MEDDOC
HHs w/ any
Internet users, any
location

MEDINF

What about communicating with a doctor or other health professional using the
Internet? (If needed) [Do you/Does anyone in this household] communicate with
a doctor or other health professional using the Internet?
(1) Yes
(2) No
[Do you/Does anyone in this household] research health information online, such
as with WebMD or similar services?

HHs w/ any
Internet users, any(1)
location

Yes
(2) No

[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
HHs w/ any
the Internet? Examples include connected devices that monitor vital statistics,
Internet users, any
blood glucose levels, or blood pressure.
location
MEDMON

(1) Yes
(2) No

9

(If multi-person household) We are interested in learning generally, without
identifying specific people, what challenges your household has had while using
HHs w/ any
the Internet.
Internet users, any
(If single-person household) We are interested in learning what challenges you
location
have had while using the Internet.
UHHINT

PSPRE

During the past year, have concerns about privacy or security stopped
[you/anyone in this household] from doing any of these activities online:

HHs w/ any
Internet users, anyRead
location

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

Overall, what concerns [you/members of this household] the most when it comes
to online privacy and security risks?

HHs w/ any
Internet users, anyDo
location

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: ___________________________
PSCYBA

During the past year, [have you/has any member of your household] experienced
an online security breach, identity theft, or a similar crime?

HHs w/ any
Internet users, any(1)
location

Yes
(2) No

If any INHOME[1-16] == 1 (anyone goes online at home), go to TVINT
Else go to NHMINT

10

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
NONINT
HHs w/o any
Internet users
from anywhere

(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
the Internet.
(If single-person household) For our remaining questions, we are interested in
learning why you do not use the Internet.

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

NOHM

What are the reasons why [you/members of your household] do not use the
Internet at home?

HHs w/o any
home Internet
users

Read and 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 LOPRCE

11

PRINOH

Of the reasons you just listed for not going online at home, which [do you/does
your household] consider to be the most important?

HHs w/o any
home Internet
Read previous responses; select best
users & more than
one NOHM
(1) Don’t need it or not interested
response

match or enter verbatim response if other

(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: ____________________________

LOPRCE
HHs w/o any
home Internet
users

TVINT
All households

TRADTV
All households

At what monthly price, if any, would [you/your household] buy home Internet
service?
Enter number in dollars or zero if ‘none’
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
subscriptions, such as Netflix, Sling TV, or Hulu.
(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

12

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?
Read and 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: _____________________________

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