Social Network Users Get Involved

• Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008
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• Author: pradhana
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• Filed under: Facebook, Market Survey, MySpace, Online Services, Social Network

The growing popularity of online communities is increasing the awareness of—and participation in—social causes, according to the "2008 Digital Future Project," conducted by the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication.

The survey found that 15% of US Internet users are members of an online community, defined as "a group that shares thoughts or ideas or works on common projects through electronic communication only." But within that group, 94% said the Internet helped inform them about social causes.

And that increased awareness is getting more people involved. Three-quarters of online community members reported participating in communities related to social causes. In 2006, only 30% said they did so.

“Clearly, the growth of online communities is opening a range of opportunities for social connection, involvement and communication that could not have been anticipated even five years ago,” said Jeffrey Cole, director at the Center for the Digital Future. [eMarketer]

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