Does high speed internet boost democracy?
September 2, 2009
Internet boosters have long-claimed that the web promotes democracy. Internet users can publish on blogs and have easy access to news and information. But new research from the Pew Research Center, the internet has yet to fulfill its promise for a more democratic society.
A survey from Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project shows that, when it comes to online activities such as contributing money to candidates, contacting a government official or signing an online petition, the wealthy and well-educated continue to lead the way.
"We were surprised that, even after unequal access to the internet - what is often called the 'digital divide' - is taken into account, the well-educated and well-heeled are still more politically active online, just as they are offline," said Kay Lehman Schlozman, a co-author of the Pew Internet report.
One area that might bode well for the future of democratic engagement is that internet users who have posted material online about political or social issues are disproportionately young.
The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its effort to create a National Broadband Plan, is looking at ways broadband internet access can improve government accountability and citizen participation.
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