WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Americans
are highly connected to technology and believe the Digital
Revolution has improved the quality of their interactions with
their local communities, according to a new poll released today by
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) and National
Journal.
The 24th quarterly Allstate/National Journal Heartland
Monitor Poll asked Americans across the country how technology is
reshaping their lives. The poll explored how in many cases the
Digital Revolution has made their lives easier, and how, in some
areas, it has given Americans cause for concern.
"As we expected, our latest Heartland Poll found that consumers
really love their technology, using it to shop, stay in
contact with friends, fact-check and connect with other
media," said Bob Wasserman, Senior
Vice President, Digital and Regional Marketing, Allstate. "That
being said, we also discovered that technology doesn't take the
place of regular human-to-human interactions. It's not digital
instead of human connections, it's digital in addition to those
interactions."
Many respondents assert that technology has made their lives
easier:
- Seventy-nine percent say the Digital Revolution has had a
positive effect on their ability to stay in touch with people
important to them, and three-in-four say it has positively affected
their ability to obtain information about important issues.
- More than half (53 percent) think technology is improving life
by making it easier to keep in touch with people and making it
easier to buy products from anywhere.
- Nearly four-in-five Americans (78 percent) say they're
optimistic about the effects that continuing advances in computer
and communications technology are having on the country.
Many Americans are connecting with their communities online,
especially through social media:
- Millennial Internet users are significantly more wireless with
their Internet consumption, compared to seniors, with a full 60
percent of millennials choosing a smart phone as their primary way
to connect. For seniors, a majority (60 percent) of those polled
primarily use their personal computers.
- A significant majority (81 percent) of Internet users are also
active on social media.
- Nearly three-in-four Internet users (73 percent) say they keep
up with local community news online.
- Sixty percent of social media users say they use the platform
to share information about community issues or local events, with
more than half (54 percent) sharing information about charities or
fundraisers.
- More than one-third of social media users (39 percent) polled
use the Internet to donate money to community or charitable
organizations.
- Of those who supported these organizations by donating money or
volunteering time, 40 percent believe they can have the most
significant impact by volunteering, while 34 percent believe their
impact is greatest when donating money.
Despite the generally positive sentiments toward recent
technological advances, Americans also acknowledge that the Digital
Revolution may have some negative or uncertain effects:
- Thirty-eight percent believe the influence of the Digital
Revolution on people's quality of life has been mixed, while 31
percent believe it has had a negative effect.
- Parents, in particular, are concerned with the impact of the
Digital Revolution. Only 20 percent of mothers and 39 percent of
fathers say the effects have been positive.
- Thirty-nine percent worry that the Digital Revolution has
actually diminished Americans' quality of life by isolating people
and weakening a sense of community in neighborhoods.
- Fewer than half of those polled (46 percent) think the Digital
Revolution has created jobs in the U.S., while 38 percent are
concerned it has eliminated jobs.
- Half of respondents between the ages of 30 and 39 were
concerned about privacy issues resulting from the Digital
Revolution, while fewer Americans under the age of 25 were
similarly preoccupied – only 31 percent of respondents in that age
range expressed similar concerns.
- Driverless cars are viewed positively by one-in-four (24
percent) and negatively by 38 percent.
"It's clear from this poll that Americans see the Digital
Revolution as pervasive, irreversible and all-encompassing:
something that is changing virtually every aspect of our lives,"
said Ron Brownstein, Atlantic Media
Editorial Director and National Journal columnist. "On
balance, most Americans think it is bringing more benefits than
costs. But the poll makes clear that for all the enthusiasm about
the opportunities these technologies have created, Americans hold
lingering concerns about what they mean tor family, jobs and
communities."
To see in-depth poll data for the 24th quarterly
Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll,
please visit www.HeartlandMonitor.com.
Survey Methodology
The 24th installment of the Allstate/National Journal Heartland
Monitor Poll investigates conducted September 10-14, 2015 explores ideas around
"Community in the Digital Age." How are Americans
experiencing the rapid growth in consumer and communications
technology? What impact are these advancements having on the
economy and Americans' own quality of life? What does this
new age of online shopping and social media mean for local
businesses and community organizations?
The survey was conducted among a national sample of 1,000 adults
age 18+, with 500 reach via cell phone and 500 reached via
landline. The margin of error for a sample of 1,000 is +/-
3.1 in 95 out of 100 cases.
About Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's
largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting
approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties
through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through
its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand
names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In
Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's
network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement
products and services to customers in the
United States and Canada.
In 2014, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its
employees and agency owners gave $34
million to support local communities. Allstate employees and
agency owners donated 200,000 hours of service across the
country.
About National Journal Group
National Journal Group (NJG) is a premium provider of essential
insights, analysis, and solutions for those operating in
Washington's policy and government
arenas. The brand currently reaches an audience of over 3
million through its editorial products, including
NationalJournal.com, Hotline, National Journal, the
magazine, and National Journal Daily. In
addition, NJG serves 700 of Washington's top organizations through its
robust Membership Services, and convenes the nation's top leaders
at its 75 widely attended live events each year.
About The Next Economy
The Next Economy is based on a core idea: even in the
face of a political stalemate at the national level, our country
has not lost its capacity for self-renewal. Founded in 2009, the
program uses print, digital and live platforms to highlight how
America is adapting to the changing economy, with a special focus
on spotlighting local innovation driving progress in communities
around the country. Combining editorial, events and
the Heartland Monitor Poll, The Next
Economy is available at
NationalJournal.com/next-economy.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) is a global business advisory firm
dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise
value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic
environment. With more than 4,400 employees located in 26
countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients
to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges
in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and
acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic
communications and restructuring. The company generated
$1.76 billion in revenues during
fiscal year 2014. For more information,
visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on
Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE The Allstate Corporation