BLOG for ADVOCATES

We created this blog to share interesting advocacy related items that cross our desks. It can be anything from new research on funding for advocacy to examples of unusual advocacy strategies. If you have an item to share please send it to npaction@npaction.org.
NPAction Staff

Thursday, September 03, 2009

The Pew Internet & American Life Project released a report which found that the internet is not changing the traditional socio-economic make up of civic engagement. Those who engage in online political activities, such as contributing money, contacting a government official or signing an online petition, tend to be more wealthy and well-educated. According to the report, which used data from a phone survey of 2,251 adults 18 and older, "these disparities result from differences in internet access—those who are lower on the socio-economic ladder are less likely to go online or to have broadband access at home, making it impossible for them to engage in online political activity." 35 percent of U.S. adults making at least $100,000 participated in two or more online political activities in the previous 12 months, compared with just 8 percent of those making less than $20,000.

However, there was some sign that this could change with the use of blogs and social networking sites. "Some 19% of internet users have posted material online about political or social issues or used a social networking site for some form of civic or political engagement. And this group of activists is disproportionately young."