While it is an undisputed fact that there is a steady growth of computer ownership and internet access across the world's population, television is still the leading and most preferred source of information and entertainment both in a domestic and global sense.
Even the poorest people in the world will probably have some access to television.60% of global households own at least one television set and 40% currently have access to cable.
Whereas, when compared to computers, which are certainly rising, only 12-14% of the total world population own or have access to computers and 3-5% have access to the internet.
Statistics show that, those who own computers with internet access, also own televisions for different purposes. Hence, these two devices generally have purposes specific to certain behavioural patterns, as well as to different age brackets, gender, socio-demographic-economic functions and conditions of audiences in the global market.
Consider the following facts:
A. By gender - While there is an estimated 70% increase in computer ownership in 2009 compared to just 29% of all UK households a decade earlier, survey results show that more men use the web than women in the UK. On a global scale, 78% men and 75% of women use the Internet.
B. By age - In the global arena, 91% of the entire Internet users are from age 18-30, thus topping the list.
C. By race – Caucasian people top the list with 78% of all the global users.
D. By income - Those earning $40,000+ top the list with 91% of all users.
E. By education - People with an advanced college degree and above, top the list at 93%.
F. By geographic setting - Suburban residents top the list with 80%.
The following are reasons why television is still the leading source of information and entertainment, specifically for families with young children:
A. Most countries have regulations and standards when it comes to advertisements for the general public. These are not misleading to children, whereas internet advertisements are generally unregulated.
B. Television shows are just for watching, whereas the internet needs interaction in which children can gain access to sites that are harmful to their young minds.