Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, will discuss the Project’s research about how the internet and cell phones are affecting citizens and how government agencies have new opportunities to plug into citizens’ social networks as they try to solve problems in their lives. He will talk about the reasons people rely more and more on their social networks as they share ideas, learn, and seek support. Government agencies now have the chance to act as “nodes” in those networks. 4/22/09

1. GOVERNING AS SOCIAL NETWORKING Lee Rainie – Director Pew Internet Project IRMCO – Cambridge, Maryland April 22, 2009

2. New information ecosystem: Then and Now Industrial Age Info was: Scarce Expensive Institutionally oriented Designed for consumption Information Age Info is: Abundant Cheap Personally oriented Designed for participation

3. 2000 46% of adults use internet 5% with broadband at home 50% own a cell phone <5% are content creators 0% connect wirelessly <10% use “cloud” = slow, stationary connections built around my computer, simple chat and information exchange The internet is the asteroid: Then and now 2008 75% of adults use internet 57% with broadband at home 82% own a cell phone ~40% are content creators 62% connect wirelessly >53% use “cloud” = fast, mobile connections built around outside servers and storage and social / civic engagement

11. 113 million 64 million

12. The internet and political news/information % who use the internet to get info about the campaign

13. Percent of adults

15. People-Press news consumer typology

24. 23 Needed information about Medicare / Medicaid / food stamps 25 Changed jobs , retired, or started your own business 34 Needed information about property taxes or income taxes 39 Made a decision about schooling , paying for education, or getting training for yourself or for a child 45% Dealt with a serious illness or other health condition, either yourself or someone close to you Yes Problem – 1 (… in the past two years)

25. 5 Became a citizen / helped someone with immigration 10 Involved in a criminal matter, a lawsuit, or other legal action 15 Look for help from local government with a problem like traffic or schools 19 Wanted information about voter registration or a government action, program, or policy 20% Needed information about Social Security / military benefits Yes Problem – 2 (… in the past two years)

30. Problem 7% 11% 10% 10% 20% 10% Library 14% 14% 14% 21% 15% 16% TV or Radio 71% 27% 60% 56% 27% 15% Government Agency 27% 43% 33% 32% 38% 37% Print sources 31% 58% 28% 26% 50% 51% Family or Friends 38% 27% 43% 48% 40% 83% Professionals 41% 66% 45% 60% 77% 46% Internet Social Security Change job status Medicare/ Medicaid Taxes Education Health Source of info.

31. Search success in problem solving NA 55% TV and radio NA 56% Family and friends NA 57% Newspapers, mags, books NA 61% Professionals / experts 55% 63% Internet 36% 64% Public library 49% 65% Government agency A lot of information Very Successful

39. How are we doing in the Twittersphere? http:// search.twitter.com/search?q =%23irmco “ What are the metrics for citizen engagement beyond levels and diversity of participation?” Usability and navigation Feedback Buzz and participation Aid in social networking Aid in problem solving Trust