Internet penetration ratio is higher among women

Nielsen/NetRatings reports that women represent a higher proportion of Web surfers, with 82% or 34.6 mln women between the ages of 35-54 accessing the Internet at home. Men in this age group posted an 80% access penetration rate, accounting for nearly 32.4 mln surfers. 77% of females in the 25-34 age group are Web surfers, while 75.6% of males in this age bracket have Internet access.

    Nielsen//NetRatings Internet Access Penetration (U.S., Home)

                    Persons with Web     Total Persons            Internet
    Age/Gender Group    access (000)          in U.S.*     Penetration %**
    Females 35-54             34,614            42,350              81.70%
    Males 35-54               32,388            40,370              80.20%
    Females 25-34             14,114            18,340              77.00%
    Males 25-34               13,859            18,320              75.60%

    M / F 2 - 17              49,078            63,270              77.60%
    M / F 18 - 24             20,177            26,900              75.00%
    M / F 55+                 40,077            63,260              63.40%
    Total                    204,307           272,810              74.90%