African-Americans are accessing the internet in record numbers - they are spending more time there (5 hours a day vs. 2.9 hours for the general online population) and closing the access gap, with nearly 80 percent having internet access vs. 88 percent of the general population - according to the 2005 "AOL African-American Cyberstudy" issued last week. It was conducted by IMAGES Market Research.

Some two-thirds of online African-American households have a high-speed connection vs. 53 percent for the general online population; also, those not online are more likely to get connected within the next 6 to 12 months.

However, most say there isn't enough online content that speaks to them as a distinct culture. Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of African-Americans were much more receptive to culturally diverse advertising. And 68 percent favor companies that benefit the African-American community.

Some 49 percent of African-Americans say the internet is the best source of information on consumer products, and 70 percent have researched an item online and subsequently purchased it in a store.

African-Americans are also more likely than the general population to use the web to access various types of information: news (68 percent vs. 56 percent), entertainment (55 percent vs. 26 percent), health-related issues (72 percent vs. 53 percent), financial questions/needs (60 percent vs. 40 percent) and sports (39 percent vs. 26 percent).

Other popular activities include using a search engine (92 percent), communicating with family and friends (86 percent), using the internet to get driving directions (85 percent), opening a bank account or online banking (62 percent) and listening to music online (62 percent).

Also, 62 percent of African-Americans surveyed said they feel the internet is helpful with career advancement and is a useful education tool (80 percent) for all ages.