2012 Social Change Impact Report Pays Attention To Digital Social Change
Walden University recently published the 2012 Social Change Impact Report which explores what drives social change.
According to the report, two-thirds of adults (65% on average) across the globe agree that when economic conditions are bad, it is more important to be involved in social change than when they are good. Although donating money is most likely where people cut back (37% on average), adults are more likely to increase their volunteer work or service (29% on average) and pay it forward when economic conditions are bad.
Walden commissioned the Social Change Impact Report to provide an annual barometer of social change. The 2012 report provides a diverse global perspective from more than 8,900 adults in eight countries on motivations to get involved in social change as well as the roles of individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and the media in social change. Here are a few of the topline conclusions we thought you would find interesting:
- Adults are more likely to say they will engage in social change during the next six months by contributing to social media by posting on a social networking site, commenting on others’ sites, participating in an online chat or signing an online petition (69%, on average).
- China leads the way with the highest use of digital technology to engage in social change (72% have engaged in positive social change in the past six months).
- In addition, a majority of adults in India (58%), Brazil (58%), Mexico (57%) and Jordan (56%) have engaged in positive social change in the past six months by using digital technology.
When asked about traditional media, the report found that adults around the world perceive bias in their national media on social change issues. More than half of adults agree that the media in their country are not neutral and impartial on social change issues (57%, on average). This sentiment is strongest in the U.S. (71%), Canada (65%), Mexico (64%) and Germany (64%), as well as among adults ages 41 and older in the U.S., Germany, Canada and Jordan.
About the Study
Walden University commissioned this survey to discover the current state of social change in America and around the world. The 2012 Social Change Impact Report is the second in an annual series, which was designed to provide a barometer of who is engaged in social change, what is important to them and how they work together to advance social change issues of interest now and in the future. Walden’s Social Change Impact Report includes attitudes, behaviors and motivations from Americans as well as members of the international community.
The 2012 Social Change Impact Report was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Walden University between February 27 and March 7, 2012, among a total of 8,953 adults within Brazil (1,025 adults ages 18–59), Canada (1,034 adults ages 18 and older), China (1,024 adults ages 18–60), Germany (1,004 adults ages 16 and older), India (1,023 adults ages 18–64), Jordan (612 adults ages 18 and older), Mexico (1,020 adults ages 18–64) and the U.S. (2,211 adults ages 18 and older). Data for each country were weighted to the general or online population within each country. The “Average Result” is the arithmetic average across all eight countries. This measure does not account for differences in population size and thus is not representative. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. A complete survey methodology is available upon request by contacting Jen Raider at 1-443-627-7452 or [email protected].
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Xiaomeng Li earned her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, with Honors in Mass Communication and Fine Arts at Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA. She is now a Master of Arts candidate for New Arts Journalism program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Born in Wuhan, China, Li came to the United States in 2007. Her passion lies in popular culture, cross-cultural communication, and the relationship between the Chinese government, mass media and the civil society. Li is also an aspiring photographer who likes portraiture and the traditional darkroom experience.