Pew Internet

Do online channels bring new voices or attitudes into the political debate?

Overall, 39% of all American adults took part in some sort of political activity on a social networking site during the 2012 campaign.

Our brand new report out today shows that social networking sites have grown more important in recent years as a venue for political involvement. One key goal of this research was to identify whether or not online channels of political engagement (social networking sites in particular) may be bringing “new voices” into the political process. 

Full report: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Civic-Engagement.aspx

Part 3: Do online channels bring new voices or attitudes into the political debate?

New analysis out today from our friends over at People Press shows that young adults were as likely to follow news regarding the Boston bombing online as on TV. Specifically:

• Overall, 63% say they followed news about the Boston attack very closely, the highest level of interest for any story since the 2008 financial crisis.
• A majority of young people (56%) say they kept up with news and information about the bombings on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. 
• Overall, 26% say they have been keeping up with news and information about the bombing at the Boston Marathon through social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. 
• 80% of Americans followed the story on TV. About half (49%) say they kept up with news and information online or on a mobile device, and 38% followed the story on the radio.
• Only 29% say they kept up with the story in newspapers.

Full analysis: http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/23/most-expect-occasional-acts-of-terrorism-in-the-future/