Off-Road Navigating

When it comes to navigating the Internet, few adults consider themselves up to speed, according to a recent survey conducted by Luntz Research for Merrill Lynch.

Only 15% of the adults surveyed consider themselves “drivers” on the so-called information superhighway. About 19% said they are passengers, 15% said they are “on the onramp” and 47% said they are “not even on the road.”

Not surprisingly, young adults are three times more likely to describe themselves as in the driver’s seat than are their grandparents. Similarly, college graduates are almost twice as likely to answer with confidence about the Internet than those who did not attend college.

The survey of 812 American adults was conducted in January.

Greg Miller covers high technology for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-7830 and at greg.miller@latimes.com