Civic Engagement, Community Attachment, and the Limitations of Social Media

Abstract

In the past decade, social media has emerged as a popular tool for promoting volunteerism, giving, and community engagement. Public and nonprofit managers often feel pressure to use social media platforms to engage with the public and frequently seek advice on how to increase reach. However, as with many things, quantity does not always equal quality. Using data from interviews with 40 community leaders in the Upper Midwest, this research seeks to expand the existing literature on the role of social media and community engagement behaviors by providing a critical analysis of its usefulness and limitations.