U.S.: Share of Teens Who Use the Internet Constantly, by ethnicity
EthnicityShare of teenagers,
in %
White38
Black54
Hispanic55
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: Sep 26 to Oct 23, 2023
  • Published: Jan 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Higher internet usage among Hispanic and Black teenagers compared to White counterparts

Hispanic and Black teenagers have a higher percentage of constant internet usage at 55% and 54% respectively, compared to their White peers, who stand at 38%. The data highlights a significant disparity in online engagement across different ethnic groups, suggesting that Hispanic and Black teenagers are more likely to be continuously online than their White counterparts.

Majority of Hispanic and Black teenagers are always online

Over half of the teenagers from Hispanic (55%) and Black (54%) ethnicities are constantly using the internet, indicating a strong inclination towards digital connectivity within these communities. In contrast, less than two-fifths of White teenagers (38%) report the same level of internet engagement, showcasing a noticeable difference in digital habits based on ethnicity.

Discrepancy in internet use sheds light on digital divide

The discrepancy in constant internet usage rates— 38% for White teenagers versus 54% and 55% for Black and Hispanic teenagers respectively—points towards a broader digital divide. It may reflect varying access to resources, educational opportunities, or leisure activities among different ethnic groups, underlining the importance of addressing these disparities to ensure equitable digital access.

Predominant online presence of minority teenagers

Minority teenagers, particularly those of Hispanic and Black ethnicities, demonstrate a predominant online presence with more than half of them (55% and 54%, respectively) constantly using the internet. This significant engagement suggests that digital platforms play a crucial role in the social and educational lives of these groups, possibly offering unique opportunities for learning and community building.

Frequently Asked Questions

How prevalent is constant internet usage among Hispanic and Black teenagers compared to their White peers?

Constant internet usage is higher among Hispanic and Black teenagers at 55% and 54% respectively, compared to 38% among their White peers.

What does the high online presence of Hispanic and Black teenagers suggest?

The predominant online presence of Hispanic and Black teenagers suggests that digital platforms play a crucial role in their social and educational lives, possibly offering unique learning and community building opportunities.

Terms and Definitions

Internet usage refers to the process by which individuals or groups of people use the world wide web to perform various activities. This could involve research, interaction with social media platforms, sending and receiving emails, purchasing goods or services, streaming content, among other functions.

Constant Internet Use is a term used to describe a high frequency of internet use throughout a given period. This could mean several hours per day or almost all the time when not sleeping. It usually includes browsing websites, social media platforms, streaming videos, playing games, and other online activities.

Internet accessibility refers to the ability of individuals to access and use the internet. It depends on several factors, like ownership of an internet-capable device and the presence of an internet connection. The term is salient to the discussion as it factors into the share of teens able to use the internet constantly.

The Digital Divide is a term used to describe the gap between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not. A digital divide can exist for various reasons, including income, location, age, and ethnicity, and is a pertinent issue when discussing diverse internet usage among different ethnic groups.