Women on the Internet

Many statistics on the percentage of women internet users are currently available.

1998: A report released by AOL found that 51% of its 13 million users are now women, which is up by 16% from four years ago. In response to this study, AOL is promoting it resources that are used by women. Among these are Electra, an online network created by AOL in 1997, Thrive, a women's health and fitness site, and Mom's Online, a parenting site based in Washington D.C..

July 1998: A report released by eMarketer determined that women currently comprise 41.2% of net users, and that 58.8% are men, world wide. The break down for the United States is 51% women to 49% men. While men still outnumber women online today, women are growing at a faster rate than men. Women, as a percentage of total users online, grew from 33% in 1996 to 39% by year end 1997, and is predicted to rise to 51% by the year 2002.

Regardless of what the exact statistics are on the percent of women web users it is indisputable that women are the fastest growing population of internet users. In addition to overall usage, women also utilize the net for business purposes. A study by the National Foundation of Women Business Owners was released by IBM in 1997 showing that women entrepreneurs are more likely to use internet and web technology for business growth than men. While 23% of women owned business have web pages, only 16% of male owned business have web sites. This statistic may partially skewed by the presence of more male owned business which are older and were developed before the days of the internet. Thus, they are simply slow to get on the band wagon. it does indicate, however, that women entrepreneurs are generally more willing to utilize the internet for their business purposes.

Despite the presence of women on the web, many still argue that women are not using the internet to its fullest capacity. The majority of women simply use the internet for email purposes, rather than accessing the incredible educational and support resources which have become available.

Despite the amount of consumption which women are responsible for the majority of women do not use the net for its purchasing power. Most surveys suggest it is used mainly for email, followed by networking and information gathering. Only 13% of women internet users purchase products over the web.

Introduction

Attractions of the Internet

Girls on the Internet

Women and Computers Today

Conclusion

Send message to Swarthmore College Women's Studies

last updated 9/8/98