Commentary

85% Will Get More Connected, 15% Will Disconnect, Says Pew Study

The Internet of Things will make it easier for many people to participate in a connected life, but not everyone is interested in that route.

While it’s only human to connect and it even can be addictive, some people will opt out before it happens, according to a new study.

The study comprised a survey of 1,200 technologists, scholars, practitioners, strategic thinkers and other leaders conducted by Pew Research Center and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center.

Researchers identified seven major themes on the future of the Internet of Things and connected life:

  1. People crave connections and convenience and a tech-linked world serves both goals well
  2. Unplugging is nearly impossible now and by 2026, it will be even tougher
  3. Risk is part of life and the Internet of Things will be accepted, despite dangers, because most people don’t expect they will experience a worst-case scenario
  4. More people will be connected and more will withdraw or refuse to participate
  5. Human ingenuity and risk-mitigation strategies will make the Internet of Things safer
  6. Notable numbers will disconnect
  7. Whether or not people disconnect, the dangers are real and security and privacy issues will be magnified by the rapid rise of the Internet of Things

An interesting insight in the study is that a significant number (15%) of the population will disconnect, while 85% will move more deeply into connected life, according to the experts’ opinions.

Some of those surveyed predicted a trend of some people becoming more connected but then pulling back after they face some serious IoT-connected infrastructure problems, while others suggested IoT technology will not advance enough to be ready for wide adoption by 2026.

One of the more sobering predictions in the study is that many of those surveyed say there will be more attacks with more devastating results as billions more things and people become interconnected and systems become more complex and difficult to manage.

Those 15% who are not confident that the Internet of Things will be safe enough to earn consumer trust, express concern that the people behind the IoT creation aren’t willing to invest the resources needed to minimize IoT problems.

There’s still some work ahead.

3 comments about "85% Will Get More Connected, 15% Will Disconnect, Says Pew Study".
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  1. R MARK REASBECK from www.USAonly.US , June 6, 2017 at 8:34 p.m.

    One of the more sobering predictions in the study is that many of those surveyed say there will be more attacks with more devastating results as billions more things and people become interconnected and systems become more complex and difficult to manage.


    Yeah, sign me up for that.  I'm a 15%-er.   This Notion that things will be easier, is a misnomer.  Life will be extremely complicated when all of the breches, hackers and lost info surface. 

  2. R MARK REASBECK from www.USAonly.US , June 6, 2017 at 8:36 p.m.

    Chuck this artical is in this same issue:

    46% Of Companies Using IoT Hit By Security Breaches

  3. Chuck Martin from Chuck Martin replied, June 6, 2017 at 8:59 p.m.

    Well, Mark, that 15% IS a very large number.

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