Public/ civic engagement – who is doing what online?

Presentation to Democracy in a networked age, Cardiff

Wednesday 30 March 2011Alison Preston, Ofcom

76% 83%

48% 36%49%

19%35%

45%41% 37%

43%22% 34%

40%24%

22%14%16%11%11%7%

9%

78%

31%

19%15%

2007 2009 2010

Health (new in 2009)

Public/ civic

Leisure information

News

Entertainment**

Transactions*

Social Networking

Work/ studiesinformation**

Communication**

2

Uses made of the internet

Source: Ofcom Media Literacy Tracker

3

36%

57%

72%Use the internet to find out information about public services provided by local or national government

8%

6%

4%

EverWeekly

Use the internet to complete government processes online - such as register for tax credits, renew driving licence, car tax or passport, complete tax return

Use the internet to look at political or campaign or issues websites

19th

23rd

21st

5th

11th

19th

Public/civic activities online

Source: Ofcom Media Literacy Tracker

Wales

68%

58%

31%

4

23%

21%

25%

20%

30%

28%

61%

54%

66%

63%

8%

6%

8%

9%

8%

8%

10%

6%

8%

69%

72%

69%

72%

61%

64%

31%

36%

28%

29%

6%

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

2010

2009

Can do with confidence Interested, can't do with confidence Not interested

Join in debates online or give your opinions on social or political issues

Complete government processes online (e.g. register for tax credits, renew driving licence, car tax or passport, complete tax return)

Contact your local MP, Assembly Member, MSP or local councillor online

Find out information from your local government or local council such as health services, recycling, local libraries

Sign an online petition

‘Public/ civic’ activities – confidence and interest

Source: Ofcom Media Literacy Tracker

5

65%60%

67%70% 70%

59%

73%

49%

71%

55%

77%72% 74% 75% 76%

69%

All 16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ AB DE

Ever online - internet users Ever offline - internet users

Online and offline use of government/ council services

Source: Ofcom Media Literacy Tracker

Find out more ...

Media Literacy Audits

Communications Market Reports

www.ofcom.org.uk/medialiteracyresearch

www.ofcom.org.uk/cmr10

Alison.Preston@ofcom.org.uk