• by Joe Mandese , June 9, 2010

One in five Americans use digital media – including blogs and social networking sites and platforms – to interact with neighbors and learn about local issues, according to "Neighbors Online"(http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Neighbors-Online.aspx"), a new study from the Pew Internet Project. The study indicates that social media is playing an important role in creating real community interactions among American who know few of their neighbors personally. It also shows that one in five adults have signed up to receive email or text message alerts about local issues, with weather updates and school alerts showing particular relevance.