Civic Engagement in the Digital Age
The well-educated and the well-off are more likely than others to participate in civic life online, just as those groups have always been more likely to be active in politics and community affairs offline.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The well-educated and the well-off are more likely than others to participate in civic life online, just as those groups have always been more likely to be active in politics and community affairs offline.
66% of social media users have employed the platforms for at least one of eight civic or political activities with social media
18% of users have shunned “friends” who have different ideas and 16% have found friends whose beliefs match their own
Republicans catch up to Democrats in social media use for politics as social media became a regular part of the political environment in the 2010 midyear elections
More than a quarter of American adults – 26% – used their cell phones to learn about or participate in the 2010 mid-term election campaign.
Senior Research Specialist Aaron Smith discussed the Pew Internet Project’s findings related to e-government at Digital Government Institute’s annual conference.
The internet gives citizens new paths to government services and information.
Just as in offline politics, the well-off and well-educated are especially likely to participate in online activities that mirror offline forms of engagement. But there are hints that social media may alter this pattern.
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