Technology takes part in today’s politics

Franklin D. Roosevelt gained popularity during his presidency through his fireside radio chats. Ronald Reagan won the hearts of the American public through television appearances, but today’s candidates are using the Web to keep up with people living in a fast-paced world.

Over the past decade, internet use has skyrocketed, prompting both positive and negative effects. People now have information at their fingertips and no longer have to wait for the 11 o’clock news or tomorrow’s paper, but overusing the Web certainly has its consequences.

Internet use among teens has increased voter turnout and decreased social contact.

Mandy Peacock, GCSU annual funds coordinator and a 1997 graduate, enjoys using the internet to “see what’s happening at the very moment.”

“In college, I got my news from CNN and local news channels, primarily television,” Peacock said. “Now that I am a working mom, I don’t have time to sit and watch television.”

People use the internet as a means of obtaining news, e-mailing friends and colleagues, and even as a form of entertainment, but The Washington Post reported on a recent study that the Web can also have political impact. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement’s found the overall national youth voter turnout has nearly doubled since 2000, rising from 9 percent in 2000 to 17 percent this year.

A national survey. performed by Pew Internet & American Life Project of Web Behavior, shows more and more young voters go online to get informed about the upcoming election and learn about the campaign. The survey found 75 million Americans used the internet in some way related to politics in 2004.

“Looking ahead, it’s clear that the internet’s role in politics will continue evolving as the technology improves and users continuously adapt it for new purposes.” wrote Lee Rainie, the director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Young audiences can find clips on YouTube or groups on Facebook to gain more knowledge about campaign issues. Candidates also have Web sites to allow people to sign up for e-mail alerts or make donations.

Lauren Mann, a sophomore education major uses the Internet as a quick way to see where candidates stand on political issues.

“The Internet is just the fastest way to find out about what’s going on in the world, especially when you’re spending the majority of your time with your nose in a book,” said Mann.

An internet study by Stanford University shows the average internet user engages in at least five types of activities on the Web including information searches, games and entertainment and commercial activity. The research also found that education and age are huge factors affecting the World Wide Web.

The internet has made life simpler in a number of ways, but there are also negative consequences. This same Stanford study proves that internet users are more likely to lose contact with their social environment.

“The more hours people use the internet, the less time they spend in contact with real human beings,” said Stanford Professor Norman Nie.

Internet users are more likely to turn their backs on traditional media like television and newspapers. They are also known to spend less time shopping in stores and more time shopping online. The biggest consequence with the recent Internet trend is much more serious than a decrease in the number of mall shoppers and TV viewers.

A study done by Kimberly Young at the University of Pittsburgh found that some online users were becoming addicted to the internet in the same way that others became addicted to drugs or alcohol, resulting in social, academic and occupational impairment.

Stacy Trick, a junior mass communication major at GCSU, knows firsthand how addicting the internet can be. Trick used to spend between two to six hours a day online on the popular social networking Web site Facebook before deleting her account.

“I will eventually go back when I realize it’s not an addiction anymore,” said Trick. “Once you get on you just start clicking; it’s hard to quit. You don’t even realize how long you’re on there.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 26 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry