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NLSY79

Computer & Internet Access

In the 2000 survey year, respondents were asked whether they had access to a home computer running specified operating systems, whether they could access the internet via a web browser, and whether they connected to the internet through a modem or other means. These questions were repeated in the 2002–2012 survey rounds but only for respondents who had not previously reported having internet access.

In 2014, all respondents were presented with a revised, short series of questions about internet use. They were asked whether they had an electronic device capable of accessing the internet and, if so, which devices they used most frequently, such as laptops, tablets, or cell phones. An internet access question was revisited in 2020.

In 2022, respondents were again asked the internet access question. They were also asked additional details, including the type of internet service plan they used (e.g., broadband, satellite, or dial-up), whether they primarily accessed the internet via a cell phone or another device such as a desktop, laptop, or tablet, and the types of activities they performed online, such as shopping, bill payments, and video conferencing.

Table 1. Computer and internet access by survey year
Survey Years Question Name Variable Title
2000-2014
Note 1.1		 Q13-145_
  • R own personal computer running Windows?
  • R use personal computer to access world wide web using web browser?
  • Personal computer access internet through modem or other connection?
2020-2022 Q13-145_ R own electronic device for internet access?
2022 YEND-INTERNET
  • Type of home internet access
  • Home internet access - type of device
  • Internet usage in past year

Note 1.1: In 2014, respondents were no longer asked whether they owned a personal computer operating on the Windows platform. Instead, they were asked about the specific types of devices they used for Internet Access, such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones.
Comparison to Other NLS Surveys

From 1994 on, NLSY79 Child and Young Adult respondents answered questions about computer access and tasks performed on the computer. See Activities & Pro-Social Behaviors in the NLSY79 Children and Young Adult User's Guide.

NLSY97 respondents have been asked about computer usage and internet access in various rounds, including using the internet for job search activities. See Computer & Internet Access in the NLSY97 User's Guide for additional details.
Survey Instruments & Documentation Computer access questions are found in the Income and Assets (2000-2004), the Retirement Expectations Part 2 section (2006), and in the Interview End section (2008-2014, 2020-2022).
Areas of Interest Computer and Internet Access

Community Participation & Volunteerism

During the 2006 and 2010 survey years (and in 2012 and 2014 for those not interviewed in 2010), NLSY79 respondents provided information about the time they spent volunteering for causes or organizations, as well as the type of organization. In 2006, approximately 22.6% of respondents reported engaging in volunteer activities during the previous calendar year, a figure that increased to 24.6% in 2010.

As can be seen in Table 1, the pick list of causes/organizations changed in wording between 2006 and 2010.

Table 1. Types of volunteerism organizations/causes on pick lists in 2006 and 2010 survey years

Survey Year

 Organizations/Causes

2006
  • Hospital or Clinic
  • School
  • Church
  • Political Organization
  • Charitable Organization 
  • Youth Group 
  • Civic or Community Action Group
  • Social/Welfare Organization
  • Independent Volunteer Work

2010
  • Religious or spiritual organizations
  • Activities supporting education
  • Supporting youth, neighborhood or community
  • Helping people in poor health
  • Helping people in need
  • Activities supporting arts and culture
  • Activities to help the environment
  • Activities supporting international aid or world peace

During the 2010 survey year, respondents also answered questions about any volunteer work organized through their regular workplace, including questions about whether any coworkers volunteered with the respondent and if the respondent got time off from work to volunteer. Respondents were also asked if any of these volunteer activities utilized skills acquired or used at work and if any of the activities helped the respondent learn about job openings or job-related opportunities.

In addition, respondents reported whether they made any philanthropic donations to various types of nonprofit organizations, including the following:

  • Religious or spiritual organizations
  • Organizations that serve a combination of purposes
  • Organizations that serve people in need
  • Health care organizations
  • Educational organizations
  • Youth, neighborhood or community organizations
  • Organizations for arts and culture
  • Environmental organizations
  • Organizations for international aid or to promote world peace
Comparison to Other NLS Surveys In rounds 9, 11, and 15-16, NLSY97 respondents answered questions about participating in unpaid volunteer work, including any activities aimed at changing social conditions. Respondents indicated the main reason for their participation: court ordered, required for a school or religious group, or strictly voluntary. The NLSY79 Young Adult survey gathered information about volunteerism each survey year. Within the Original Cohort surveys, the Young Women and Mature Women cohorts were asked questions about volunteer work during several survey years.
Areas of Interest Volunteerism
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