A new report from Pew Internet (a project of the Pew Research Center) reveals that social networking sites are becoming increasingly valued as a space to host political activity and civic involvement. Between 2008 and 2012, social networking sites saw a significant surge in specific individual behaviors (posting political content, following a political candidate or figure, participating in a group that advances a political/social cause, etc) that illustrate the growing importance of these sites as places where people can connect with causes, learn about issues, and debate with other citizens. According to a 2012 survey, 39% of all American adults reported participating in political or civic activities on social networking sites within that year, which means that Americans are now more politically active online than the 26% of the population in 2008 who used a social networking site at all. However, despite the growth of online platforms for political involvement, the report concludes that American’s political and civic contributions are still more likely to take place in traditional settings existing offline

While this study awarded significant attention to the role played by social networking sites in American adult’s political habits, the report is more broadly concerned with people’s political habits in both the online and offline arenas. Read the full report to check out more of the study’s major findings.