This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Scheufele, D. A. Articles by Nisbet, M. C. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Being a Citizen Online

New Opportunities and Dead Ends

Department of Communication at Cornell University, dietram.scheufele{at}cornell.edu

Matthew C. Nisbet

Department of Communications at Cornell University

This study compares the impact of various types of traditional and Web-based forms of communication on political efficacy, knowledge, and participation. Findings suggest that the role of the Internet in promoting citizenship is limited. In fact, respondents who used the Web frequently for entertainment purposes were less likely to feel efficacious about their potential role in the democratic process and also knew less about facts relevant to current events. Regardless of the frequency with which people used the Internet for various informational or entertainment purposes, these analyses suggest that traditional mass media maintain a key role in promoting democratic citizenship.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?