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In 2019, Who's Not Online? 10 Percent of Americans Are Analogue

There are still some people who refuse to log on, which seems like a better and better idea each day.

By Chandra Steele
May 8, 2019
Chart of how many U.S. adults are offline

Who are the lucky people who are extremely offline? Pew conducted a study to find out, and if you're reading this, that group probably does not include you.

There are those who log off, which usually means taking a social media break or putting down your smartphone for mental health reasons, which is something you've probably considered if you're too addicted to catching up on the world, however you define it.

Then there are those who never go online in the first place. In the United States, the offline are more likely to be over 65 years old, have less than a high school education, make less than $30,000 per year, and live in a rural area, according to a Pew study.

The number of people who are offline now versus four years ago has changed little since, but the number has trended downward drastically since 2000 when almost 50 percent of adults did not use the internet. While it's easy to characterize being offline with being uninformed, there might be some wisdom in it that younger generations can learn from. Those born after 1995 face the greatest negative impact from social media use, which has resulted in an uptick in depression, psycholgical distress, and suicide.

If you're thinking of joining the ranks of the offline, or at least taking a few steps back, check out our how-to guide on erasing yourself from the internet.

How to Tell If You're a Tech Addict (and What to Do About It)
PCMag Logo How to Tell If You're a Tech Addict (and What to Do About It)

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About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

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