More Citizens are Using the Internet to Engage with Government

The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project released a new report which found that most Internet users have visited a government website to get information or complete a transaction during the last year. The findings are based on a survey of 2,258 adults 18 or older. According to the report, about a quarter of adults have posted their own comments online about government issues, participated in an online town hall meeting or joined a group that tries to influence policies.

Some other interesting findings include:

  • 48 percent of Internet users have looked for information about a public policy or issue online with their local, state or federal government.
  • 31 percent are taking advantage of social media tools to keep up with government news.
  • 22 percent have read or downloaded a piece of legislation.
  • 14 percent have looked online to see who is contributing to certain elected officials.

Pew Research Specialist Aaron Smith said, "People are not only getting involved with government in new and interesting ways, they are also using these tools to share their views with others and contribute to the broader debate around government policies."

Fully 95% of government social media users visited a government website in the preceding twelve months, with the typical government social media user visiting five such websites. Additionally, two-thirds (66%) contacted a government agency or official in person, by phone or by letter in the last year.

Download the report here.

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