NCOC Featured Discussion
Social Networking Sites and Civic Engagement: What’s the Relationship Status?June 21, 2012
 Some rights reserved by Gavin Llewellyn Social connectedness is the first building block of civic health. An increase in social ties results in an increase in social capital – a critical prerequisite for building a thriving and engaged community. Research by Robert Putnam shows that communities with high social capital have better educated children, safer neighborhoods, increased economic prosperity, healthier children and adults, and generally happier people. We can build and strengthen social connections by spending time with community members and staying informed on current events. NCoC, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service , produces the national civic health assessment on an annual basis. We measure a variety of indicators of civic engagement and social cohesion. Social connectedness is measured by looking at four specific indicators. Our 2010 data showed that: • 88.1% of the nation eats dinner with their family frequently (several times a week or more) • 54.3% talk with family and friends on the internet or via email frequently • 42.3% talk with neighbors frequently • 15.2% exchange favors with neighbors frequently According to this research, online engagement was one of the most common ways for individuals to engage with one another, second only to eating dinner with their family. Perhaps even more importantly, the 2010 Civic Health Assessment found that those who go online on a regular basis are more likely to be involved in offline communities, as well. This research was preliminary, however, as more metrics of “eCitizenship” need to be developed in order to assess the impact of online engagement fully. In 2011, the Pew Internet & American Life Project released “Social Networking Sites and Our Lives.” Their report took an in-depth look at how people’s trust, personal relationships, and civic and political involvement are connected to their use of social networking sites and other technologies. These are some of the trends that emerged from their report: • Facebook users have more close relationships. Someone who uses Facebook several times per day averages 9% more close, core ties in their overall social network compared with other internet users. • Facebook users get more social support. Internet users get more support from their social ties and Facebook users get the most support. Someone who uses Facebook multiple times per day gets about half the boost in total support that someone receives from being married or living with a partner. • Internet users know their neighbors jut as much as non-internet users. When Pew researchers controlled for demographic characteristics they found that internet and non-internet users are equally as likely as others to know at least some of their neighbors. This departs from 2008 findings – that SNS users were less likely to know the names of their neighbors. The findings above pulled from “Social networking sites and our lives,” Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project (2011). But what is the causal relationship between online engagement and other forms of engagement? The Pew Internet & American Life Project research suggests that individuals who are engaged online are also engaged in other ways. But, is that because people who use social media, which builds their networks, are then encouraged to participate in their communities? Or is it that individuals who are engaged in other ways and have strong social networks are more inclined to then use social media? Pew’s research found that SNS users outperformed non-users in at least one indicator of civic health: political involvement. When the report controlled for demographic characteristics, they found that internet and Facebook users in particular were more likely to be politically involved than similar Americans. Compared with other internet and SNS users, a Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day is an additional two and half times more likely to attend a political rally or meeting, 57% more likely to persuade someone on their vote, and 43% more likely to have said they would vote ( ”Social networking sites and our lives,” 2011). Pew Internet also found that internet users have more social ties and these ties may be stronger than those of non-users. The average internet user has 669 social ties – or 163 more ties than non-users. Controlling for demographic factors, internet users are significantly more likely to trust most people than non-users. 46% of internet users say that “most people can be trusted” and Facebook users are the most trusting. Internet users and Facebook users in particular also receive more social support, companionship, and instrumental support than the average non-internet user. Controlling for demographic factors, however, Pew Internet found no substantial indication that different types of technology use predict neighboring or belonging to a volunteer group. The study also found that internet and non-internet users are equally likely as others to know at least some of their neighbors. This suggests that while social networking sites might lead to increased social capital in some ways, it might not foster further community engagement in others. What do you think? Is it a fair assumption that increased social networks translate to increased participation? Does online social capital always translate to engagement in offline communities? If you like this kind of content, sign up for an NCoC.net account and we'll customize your homepage recommendations based on your interests..
By at 8:03 PM on Sep 9th, 2012
Increased social networks do lend hand to an increase in participation in other activities. Although you are communicating through a "box" you are still communicating with another person. Once you find a connection to someone, you are encouraged to find other connections inside and outside of social networks.
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