Latest Articles

Alexander McCall-Smith Engages Web 2.0

The Daily Telegraph is in the middle of a 20-week serialisation of an online book created by author Alexander McCall-Smith, his first such project. New Media Knowledge caught up with the organisers to discuss ‘Corduroy Mansions’.

more

Business Brief: Video Advertising Looks to Future

Google has announced it will incentivise advertisers on its video properties as well as launching research programmes into how Web users consume Internet video material. New Media Knowledge spoke to a number of industry players to gauge their views on where the video advertising market is going.

more

‘Virtual Home’ for Ex-Pats in London Established

A social network aimed at providing information for ex-pats living in London has been established. New Media Knowledge met the site’s co-founder to find out more.

more

• Rough Guide to: Social Media and the Law
• Record Visits for UK Blog Sites
• Clearing Congestion
• Rough Guide to: Pay-Per-Click Advertising
• Opinion: What Happens to Newspapers?
• LinkedIn Adds Business Applications
• What Happens to Newspapers?

Related Articles

• Record Visits for UK Blog Sites

  Nearly half of the UK’s online population visited at least one blog during August, according to a survey. Yet one recent report said blogging’s day has passed, so what’s the true reflection? New Media Knowledge spoke to three prominent bloggers for their take. more

• Who is Here to Learn?

  As part of the research “Who is here to learn?” The role of the New Media Knowledge network in the digital media sector, NMK set up an online survey to find out people’s views on NMK. more

• UK Council for Child Internet Safety Launches

  The UK Government launched its programme to help protect children from exposure to potentially harmful content on the Internet, including some forms of advertising. New Media Knowledge spoke to AOL, one of the companies involved, to see what real impact the new group would have. more

• Marketers Cautious Over Social Media Spend

  Social media marketing has been high on the agenda for many communications experts. Most marketers can see how the Internet has revolutionised the way the general public communicates, but many are still unsure whether they can leverage this technology to push brand messages. more

• Mobile Surf's Up

  The mobile Web has long been thought of as the next step for the Internet. Location-based services, micro communications and instant picture sharing could potentially revolutionise the way the public interacts with the Web and the way they communicate with each other. more

UK Internet Trends

The OxIS Internet Trends 2007 report is packed with information about the latest trends and statistics in online behaviour, and is required reading for anyone working in digital.

The report is free, and available to download as a PDF file here.

One area assessed by the research is the impact of the Internet on civic engagement and the success or otherwise of e-government initiatives. Easy access to political and civic information, direct access to MPs and the ability to easily self-publish and offer opinions have led to the view that the Internet is empowering individuals as political beings and overcoming some of the obstacles to participation.

However, if this is the case, it does not seem that it is through official channels that this increased engagement is taking place. While the number of people interacting with government online has increased to one third in 2007, this percentage is low compared to other European and North American states. Activism attracts very low numbers overall, with signing a petition by far the most common activity.

One tenth (9%) of Internet users have undertaken at least one civic action on the Internet, compared to two thirds (36%) of users who have done this offline.

The results show that age and lifestyle have a clear impact on the likelihood of engagement. Though retired people are the least likely to use the Internet as a whole - only a third of retired people are online - they are also the most engaged. While only 7% of employed people and 5% of students have signed a petition online, the number rises to 16% among the retired.