Americans Turning To Web For Big Decisions

As the Internet grows to become the default source of information for millions of Americans, 45% of Internet users, or 60 million Americans, say that the World Wide Web played a major role in major decision-making in the past two years, says Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Study authors John Horrigan and Lee Rainie called the increase in the Internet's role various life aspects over 2002 findings "striking."

Over a three-year period, Internet use grew by:

· 54% in the number of adults who said the Internet played a major role as they helped another person cope with a major illness. And the number of those who said the Internet played a major role as they coped themselves with a major illness increased 40%.