The Effects of Internet Use and Internet Efficacy on Offline and Online Engagement

Sherice Gearhart,Weiwu Zhang

doi:10.29333/ojcmt/2530

Abstract

While existing research has explored the relationship between Internet use and civic engagement, this study is among the first to examine the effects of general Internet use, social network site use, and Internet efficacy on online and offline civic participation using the 2010 Pew Internet and American Life Project ‘Social Side of the Internet’ survey (N = 2,303). Results show that general Internet use and social network site use enhance web and wireless participation. However, neither increases offline participation. Individual Internet efficacy enhances both online and offline participation, but group Internet efficacy decreases offline participation. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings of this study for engagement are discussed.

Highlights

Since Putnam’s (1995a; 2000) provocative proposition about the steady decline of social capital and civic engagement, scholars have engaged in lively debate about whether we really are experiencing a civic decline (Schudson, 1999)
These linkshave been debated and findings have been discredited because enhanced political engagement may be limited to those who already participate in politics
Using data from the 2010 "Social Side of the Internet" survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, the current study aims to investigate the crucial role of social capital, Internet use, and Internet efficacy on both online and offline forms of participation

Summary

Introduction

Since Putnam’s (1995a; 2000) provocative proposition about the steady decline of social capital and civic engagement, scholars have engaged in lively debate about whether we really are experiencing a civic decline (Schudson, 1999). Effects associated with general Internet use include enhanced network heterogeneity (e.g., Brundridge& Rice, 2009; Hampton, Sessions, & Her, 2011; Moy & Hussain, 2012) and engagement (e.g., Jennings &Zeitner, 2003; Kang & Gearhart, 2010; Nam, 2012). These linkshave been debated and findings have been discredited because enhanced political engagement may be limited to those who already participate in politics

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion