Citizens use of the Internet

My friend Geordie Adams at Publivate tweeted today about a report on the use of the internet by citizens in the USA. The report by Pew Internet is on Government online and shows that US citizens are more and more turning to the internet to access government in the US.

Fully 82% of internet users (representing 61% of all American adults) looked for information or completed a transaction on a government website.

The report found that:

• 48% of internet users have looked for information about a public policy or issue online with their local, state or federal government

• 46% have looked up what services a government agency provides

• 41% have downloaded government forms

• 35% have researched official government documents or statistics

• 33% have renewed a driver’s license or auto registration

• 30% have gotten recreational or tourist information from a government agency

• 25% have gotten advice or information from a government agency about a health or safety issue

• 23% have gotten information about or applied for government benefits

• 19% have gotten information about how to apply for a government job

• 15% have paid a fine, such as a parking ticket

• 11% have applied for a recreational license, such as a fishing or hunting license

The report identifies several other common characteristics regarding citizens’ interactions with government. Specifically, these interactions are frequently:  

• Data driven – Efforts by government agencies to post their data online are resonating with citizens. Fully 40% of online adults went online in the preceding year to access data and information about government (for instance, by looking up stimulus spending, political campaign contributions or the text of legislation).

• Organized around new online platforms – Citizen interactions with government are moving beyond the website. Nearly one third (31%) of online adults use online platforms such as blogs, social networking sites, email, online video or text messaging to get government information.

• Participatory – Americans are not simply going online for data and information; they want to share their personal views on the business of government. Nearly one quarter (23%) of internet users participate in the online debate around government policies or issues, with much of this discussion occurring outside of official government channels. 

The study also found that 40% of online users search for basic information about government and that the use of the internet is directly proportional to the users level of income and education - the more educated and those with higher incomes use the internet with greater frequency.  The report also found that Social Media has the potential of reaching currently underserved populations.  This is a fascinating study and is in-line with some of the conclusions of IPAC's study on the use of social media.