Survey: Rhode Islanders have difficulty unplugging from Internet

PROVIDENCE – Nearly 24 percent of Rhode Islanders have difficulty “unplugging” from the Internet, according to a study released by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.
That puts the Ocean State fourth highest among states whose residents report having the most trouble with staying off their connected devices, the association’s “Onward, Internet,” study found.
“People can rest assured the Internet will always be there to provide information and entertainment, but unplugging for at least a few hours is possibly the best gift they can give themselves and others,” Brian Dietz, vice president, communications & digital strategy at NCTA, said in a statement
The organization, which is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, conducted an online survey of more than 100,000 Americans about their Internet use, discovering that people in New Jersey have the toughest time staying off their connected devices, as 26.1 percent reported having difficulty.
California came in second at 25.7 percent, followed by Maryland at 24 percent; Rhode Island, 23.8 percent; and Georgia, 23.3 percent.

“Americans can take a cue from some of the more laid-back states in the country this holiday season,” the organization stated.
For example, only 12.6 percent of Wyoming residents reported difficulty with unplugging. In Montana, the rate was 13.4 percent.
On average, 21.7 percent of Americans have trouble unplugging, the association said, noting that matches a recent Pew Research Center survey showing that 21 percent of Americans “go online almost constantly.”
The NCTA survey also found that 49 percent of the “Onward, Internet” respondents across the nation do not think it is that difficult to take a break from the Internet, something it found encouraging.
As for the other New England states, 22 percent of Massachusetts residents reported difficulty breaking away from the Internet (ranking 13th highest), while 21 percent of Connecticut residents reported problems (placing 21st on the list). Maine ranked 30th at 19.4 percent, followed by New Hampshire at 36th at 19 percent; and Vermont at 45th at 16.4 percent.
A full list of the states can be found HERE.

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