(MarketingVOX) Some 45 percent of U.S. internet users - about 60 million people - have in the last two years gone online to get help in making major life decisions, such as finding a college for children or looking for a new place to live, according to a new Pew Internet and American Life Project survey, writes Reuters. That percentage was up from 40 percent of internet users in 2002.

About 21 million Americans turned to web when seeking more training for a career; 17 did so to choose a school for a family member or help another person with a major illness;16 million went online when buying a car or making a major investment or financial decision.

An estimated 10 million Americans used the net when looking for a new place to live; 8 million when changing jobs; and 7 million when dealing with a major illness or health condition.