Australia's E-Generation Takes Shape 30/5/00 The explosive growth in Australians' Internet use is showing signs of slowing, according to Red Sheriff's latest Internet 2000 report. This year's results are in stark contrast to the double-digit growth reported since 1997, with Internet trial in 1999 increasing by a mere 3%, from 47% to 50%. The Internet 2000 report from Red Sheriff, which studies Australians' relationships with the Web, is the company's fourth annual commentary on the Internet in Australia. Australia's Internet audience is now maturing into clear lines of usage, highlighting both the new 'e-Generation' of web users and those who have decided not to get actively involved in the fastest growing media in the world. While figures show that previously explosive increases in trial of the Internet across the entire population is slowing, the dominant force of the 'e-generation' is apparent, with 89% of 16-20 year olds having used the Internet. More broadly, Red Sheriff forecasts overall new user growth over the next year to be around 2%, with 52% of Australian adults having used the Internet by February 2001. "We are in the midst of crossing an historical media threshold," said Ian Lowe, General Manager, Australia and New Zealand. "Just as radio and television captured the attention of people on a scale never previously imagined, the Internet is rapidly becoming standard fare for Australians, with half the population using the medium. The Net is now arguably playing a central role in Australians' daily information and entertainment diets. With the medium coming of age, the Internet will continue to erode and replace traditional media, just as radio and television did generations ago". This is highlighted by time spent on the Net. This year's survey found weekly Internet usage is now on average around 6.5 hours each week, surpassing other popular pastimes such as walking the dog or reading a newspaper or magazine. In addition, more and more Australian homes are joining the cyber community, which is good news for ISPs and the industry in general. In 1999 alone, the report found 14% more Australian homes had signed up, increasing from 27% to 41%. Today, some 78% of users are surfing from home. "The rise in home connections is clearly changing traditional lifestyle and household behaviour. This is highlighted by time spent on the Net, which increased to 40% of users spending in excess of five hours per week on the Internet at home, versus 27% in 1999," said Lowe. The latest report also highlighted trends in the growing gap between the "information haves and have-nots". The increase in usage and access to the Net has mainly occurred in middle to high-income households. Among respondents, the survey found that only 21% of people from households with income of A$35,000 or less had home access to the Internet.