The comprehensive study of the impact of online technology conducted by the USC Annenberg School Center for the Digital Future found that for the first time, the number of users who say that the Internet can be used to gain political power has increased. In 2005, 39.8 percent of Internet users agree that going online can give people more political power -- up from 27.3 percent in the previous study. And, 61.7 percent of respondents - - Internet users and non-users alike -- now agree that going online has become important to political campaigns.
"We are now seeing tangible evidence of the increasing role of the Internet in political decision-making," said Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the USC Annenberg School Center for the Digital Future. "The Internet’s growing role in political decision-making cannot be underestimated.
"More than three-quarters of users who went online for political campaign information sought insight regarding issues and candidates about which they were undecided," Cole said. "Clearly, the Internet’s role in the American political process will continue to grow, and it could have a significant impact during the Congressional elections of 2006."
The Digital Future Project provides a broad year-to-year exploration of the influence of the Internet on Americans. Now in its fifth year, the project examines the behavior and views of a national sample of Internet users and non-users, as well as comparisons between new users one year or less of experience) and very experienced users (more than eight years of experience).
http://www.digitalcenter.org/pdf/Center-for-the-Digital-Future-2005-Highlights.pdf
