Study: One In Five Adults Don't Use The Internet

By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A study released this past week finds that one in five adults in the U.S. doesn't use the Internet, and most who stay offline simply think the web is a waste of time.

"I was surprised to see there are still Luddites in the world," says PCWorld.com blogger Howard Baldwin.

He says the Pew report finds the so-called 'internet innocents' say they don't need to use it to communicate or to get the information they need.

The study points out that the elderly make up the fastest-growing segment on social networking sites.

"They're using it for medical purposes, they're using it to keep in touch with classmates, and they're using it to stay in touch with the younger generation," Baldwin explains.

And the Pew Internet Project also finds the digital divide is closest to disappearing between whites and minorities, largely thanks to smartphones.

But there's still a lot of work to do to connect the disabled to technologies that can help improve lives.