Civic Engagement among Community Computer Network Users: Trend or Phase?

Title: Civic Engagement among Community Computer Network Users: Trend or Phase?

Research Question: How does the adoption of community computer networking affect civic engagement and community involvement over time?

Methodology: The study used survey data collected from four U.S. towns and cities with established community computer networking. The survey aimed to understand the relationship between Internet use and civic engagement. It focused on early and late adopters of the Internet.

Results: The study found that early adopters of the Internet were more likely to engage in civic activities and have higher levels of community involvement than later adopters. They also used the Internet to increase their community involvement, political participation, and connectivity with like-minded people. Later adopters showed less involvement in their local community and less interest in political activity, both online and offline.

Implications: The findings suggest that the initial increase in civic engagement and community involvement due to early adopters' use of the Internet may not be a long-term trend. As more people adopt the Internet, its impact on community involvement and civic engagement appears to decrease. This could be due to the behavior of later adopters, who are less likely to use the Internet for civic purposes. The study supports the idea that community involvement and civic engagement are primarily driven by the behavior of early adopters, making such increases a phase, not a trend.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0109087v2 Authors: arXiv ID: 0109087v2