Face-to-face contact hasn't gone out of style, but we all know that new tools abound to stay informed. A new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project quantifies the trends.
It found that one-fifth of Americans (and 27% of Internet users) used digital tools to understand more about community issues. And 22% of adults (and 28% of Internet users) used either text messaging or email alerts to gain information. Some 11% used blogs to stay up to date on local matters.
Of those signed up for text and email alerts, 13% signed up for school events (closures for weather, for instance), 11% used them for weather warnings, 5% for crime data and 4% for traffic congestion.
The study was conducted late last year involving 2,258 Americans. Its findings are considered accurate within 2.8 points.
It found that one-fifth of Americans (and 27% of Internet users) used digital tools to understand more about community issues. And 22% of adults (and 28% of Internet users) used either text messaging or email alerts to gain information. Some 11% used blogs to stay up to date on local matters.
Of those signed up for text and email alerts, 13% signed up for school events (closures for weather, for instance), 11% used them for weather warnings, 5% for crime data and 4% for traffic congestion.
The study was conducted late last year involving 2,258 Americans. Its findings are considered accurate within 2.8 points.
