Hispanic Internet Use Growing

The majority of Hispanics in the United States have Internet access and many turn to online resources daily, according to recent research.

Ipsos released results of its U.S. Hispanic Omnibus study Monday. The national telephone survey of 513 Hispanics in the United States, from Sept. 11, 2008, through Oct. 6, 2008, found that 63% of Hispanics access the Web at least once a month.

"The idea of U.S. Hispanics either lacking Internet access, or lacking the ability to utilize the online tools often thought exclusive to the mainstream is no longer relevant," Cynthia Pelayo, senior research manager for Ipsos, said in a statement. "We know that millions of Hispanics are online, either at home or at work, and they are engaging in functions, often in higher numbers, than the general population."

Pelayo said that Hispanics in the United States understand the value of Internet access and turn to online resources for news, entertainment, and other information. Ipsos said the findings "smashed" the notion that Hispanics lack Internet access or an understanding of the Internet's possibilities.

Eighty-four percent of Hispanics said they read news online at least once a month, and 97% of Hispanics with a college degree do so, according to the poll.

Seventy-nine percent of Hispanics use the Internet to research products before purchasing them, and 53% buy something online at least once a month, Ipsos found. Fifty-one percent of Hispanic men are likely to shop online, compared with 55% of Hispanic women, the poll found.

Fifty-eight percent of Hispanics who accessed the Internet in the preceding month watched video, and 54% uploaded photos. Forty-seven percent downloaded music, according to the poll.