4 in 10 Filipino adults are internet users — SWS

Forty-one percent of Filipino adults use the internet, according to the latest survey results released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Tuesday.

Based on the September 2018 poll, internet use remains highest in Metro Manila at 64 percent which was four points higher than the figure last June.

Balance Luzon also made a record-high 47 percent, the highest proportion of internet users in the area, surpassing its previous highest 43 percent in June 2017.

SWS said internet use has always been higher in urban areas compared to rural areas.

The survey was conducted from September 15-23, 2018 using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon, and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It had a sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The quarterly survey on internet use was not commissioned, but the polling firm's own initiative and released as a public service.

The exact SWS questionnaire item on internet us is as follows: "Kayo po ba ay nag-oonline upang makapag-internet o makapagpadala at makatanggap ng mga email?"(Do you ever go online to access the internet or the World Wide Web or send and receive email?) 

Population from classes ABC remain to have the highest internet use since the first survey on June 2006, at 55 percent in September 2018.

The poll results also showed that internet use was higher among women, at 42 percent, compared to men, at 40 percent.

Moreover, surfing the net consistently remains higher among younger Filipinos, especially those in the age bracket of 18 to 24 years old at 81 percent.

Those with college degrees also have the highest internet use at 73 percent, compared to those who have lower educational attainment.

The trend of steady increase in internet use among Filipinos continues, according to SWS, citing that when the poll body first asked the question "Do you ever go online to access the Internet or send and receive email?" in June 2006, the result was just 8 percent.

Since then, 42 percent was the peak which was recorded in March 2018.

The September 2018's overall figure was one point higher than June 2018's 40 percent. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News