The Center’s exploration of digital technology and politics digs into the relationship between political beliefs and how Americans view the importance of the internet in elections.

__________________________________________________________

The Center’s annual Digital Future Studies have found growing agreement that the internet has become important in the political campaign process. In the current study (download the 2017 report here), 81% of all respondents agree or strongly agree that the internet is important in political campaigns, up from 56% 10 years ago.

But to what extent do people of different political orientations believe this?

Since 2005, as part of our Digital Future Studies, the Center has asked people age 16 and older if they agreed with this statement: Has the internet become important for the political campaign process?

  • In all of the Center’s 11 studies since 2005, majorities of conservatives, liberals, and middle-of-the-road respondents have agreed or strongly agreed about the importance of the internet in political campaigns.
  • In every Digital Future Study, liberals have been most likely to agree about the internet as an important factor in political campaigns.  In the current study, 80% of conservatives and those in the middle of the road, and 90% of liberals agree or strongly agree that the internet has become increasingly important for the political campaign process.
  • For people of each of the three political orientations, agreement has varied since 2005, but the general trend has been toward more agreement about the internet’s importance in political campaigns.

__________

See all Web Insights

September 5, 2017