Most Americans don’t think cellphone tracking will help limit COVID-19, are divided on whether it’s acceptable

A majority of Americans are skeptical that tracking someone’s location through their cellphone would help curb the outbreak.

• Half of Americans have decided not to use a product or service because of privacy concerns
• 8 charts on internet use around the world as countries grapple with COVID-19

Americans turn to technology during COVID-19 outbreak

A majority of Americans are turning to digital means to stay connected and track information about the coronavirus outbreak.

• As schools close due to the coronavirus, some U.S. students face a digital ‘homework gap’
• Before the coronavirus, telework was an optional benefit, mostly for the affluent few
• Americans who primarily get news through social media are least likely to follow COVID-19 coverage, most likely to report seeing made-up news

Polling shows signs of public trust in institutions amid the pandemic

Americans see “social distancing” measures urged by public health officials to limit the spread of COVID-19 as generally appropriate.

• Amid coronavirus threat, Americans generally have a high level of trust in medical doctors

U.S. concern about climate change is rising, but mainly among Democrats

The share of Americans who say global climate change is a major threat to the well-being of the U.S. has grown from 44% in 2009 to 60% in 2020. But the rise in concern has largely come from Democrats.

• For Earth Day, how Americans see climate change and the environment in 7 charts
• New, emerging jobs and the green economy are boosting demand for analytical skills

Young women often face sexual harassment online – including on dating sites and apps

Six-in-ten women under 35 who have online dated say someone continued to contact them after they said they were not interested.

• About half of never-married Americans have used an online dating site or app
• Lesbian, gay and bisexual online daters report positive experiences – but also harassment

About half of U.S. adults are wary of health effects of genetically modified foods, but many also see advantages

Most Americans rely on their own research to make big decisions, and that often means online searches

Americans see spread of disease as top international threat, along with terrorism, nuclear weapons, cyberattacks

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From our research