[LINK] Net draws users into civic activism

[Tony Barry]

Extracted item provided for information.

Source:NewsScan Daily, 2 November 2001 ("Above The Fold")
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NET DRAWS USERS INTO CIVIC ACTIVISM
The Internet may help reverse a decades-long trend toward civic apathy,
particularly among younger adults, according to a new survey released by
the Pew Internet & American Life Project. "One of the big concerns that has
existed since the mid-1960s is that young people were withdrawing from
civic life," says project director Lee Rainie. "It was just striking to see
this technology that is enormously popular with young people is a vehicle
by which they are engaging in the community at some level." The survey
found that 84% of U.S. Internet users had logged on to contact or get
information from an organization. Rainie acknowledged some of the groups
"are pretty frivolous, built around rock stars or popular TV shows or
sports teams." Still, he said, younger adults initially drawn by hobby or
fan groups later migrate to other online communities. Professional and
hobby groups were the most popular, each used by 50% of users, followed by
sports and entertainment fan clubs, local community groups and
associations. (Wall Street Journal 2 Nov 2001)
http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/SB1004625077911792480.htm
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