Half of Israel’s haredi population use the internet regularly, a new study shows, while 21% possess internet-capable smartphones.
According to the survey, conducted by the Israel Internet Association (ISOC-IL), 49% of Israeli haredim surf the web regularly, despite the spread of rabbinic prohibitions strictly limiting internet usage. Among the general population, 88% use the internet.
In many communities, recreational internet usage is banned, with special exceptions granted only to individuals whose work absolutely requires an internet connection.
The ISOC-IL study also shows the proliferation of smartphones – cellular devices with internet connections – despite strong criticism of the devices by haredi leadership. According to the study, 21% of haredi Jews in Israel use smartphones.
Within the 49% of haredim who do use the internet, 40% use both a computer and smartphone to access the internet, while 56% use only a computer. Just over 4% use only a smartphone.
Previous studies show similar figures regarding internet use among haredim.
An Israel Democracy Institute study in August showed that 54% of haredi Jews admitted using computers regularly, while 41% said they surfed the web.