ROCHESTER, N.Y. - According to the latest Harris Poll conducted by Harris Interactive, the number of United States adults who use the Internet rose an estimated 10 percent to roughly 178 million in the past year.
The report estimates that 79 percent of adults in the U.S. now use the Internet, up from 77 percent in 2006.
The poll also reported that the average amount of time spent online increased from nine hours per week in 2006 to 11 hours per week in 2007. The largest increase reported was in the number of adults who use the Internet in places other than the home or workplace, which increased from 22 percent in 2006 to 31 percent in 2007.
"I am not at all surprised by those numbers," said Luca Bizzotto, operations manager of Triple 10 Vault. "The Internet is still considered a new technology, and it is rapidly expanding throughout the world. ... Now, with more uses for the computer online and more user-friendly features, the Internet is beginning to appeal to a much broader market."
According to Hardcore Hotel owner Rabecca Renae, a home without a computer "would be a rarity," since Internet access is becoming "better and faster every day."
Adult-industry professionals like Bizzotto hope the increases will translate into increased memberships, higher converting traffic and more revenue.
"As more people get online, it's inevitable that they will view adult content," Bizzotto said. "Sex is an addiction, and when sexual content is so readily available, you can't help but take a peek. However, there is so much accessible on the Internet that I don't believe adult material is on the forefront of someone's mind when going online, necessarily. Viewing adult content is just one more thing they can do once they're online."
Renae agreed, saying that as the number of Internet users grows, it's inevitable that the number of users who view adult material increases, since "they go hand in hand."
