Simon Hughes Assistant Chief Executive Social Media

Some context Superfast broadband roll out Increased use of web –Mobile –Websites (415,007 visits to in the last four weeks) –Demographics – for example 8% of 143 million social networking users are over 55 in 2011 so far

Estimates for East Sussex Internet take up73% - 359,369 people Total broadband take-up71% - 349,550 people Social networking site take up 40% - 196,929 people Use of mobile phone for web/data access 23% - 113,234 people

What is social media?

Perhaps more helpful? A set of technologies and ways of communicating that enable the creation and exchange of user-generated content Involves “the people formerly known as the audience” Shifts from broadcast (one-to-many) to conversation mode (many-to-many) and back again!

Social Networking

Why could Social Media be helpful?

The research questions What level of online civic activity is currently visible in East Sussex? How does this activity break down, in terms of content and type of site? Who are the significant content creators?

What were they looking for? CategoryIntent Informal socialI use social media in order to socialise with my friends and family – I just want to keep in touch with people Informal civicI use social media in order to connect to my local community and to talk about issues that I think are important to us Formal civicI use social media to make sure that the views of my community are considered by decision makers and are part of the final decision. I want to influence things Formal democraticI want to be part of setting the agenda for my community – I want to change things

What has the research told us? a significant amount of online activity clustering around a number of different localities – in total 215 individual sites. enough activity to assume we will see steady growth of adoption and a viable channel to work with the public on civic issues. a link between active websites and quality parishes number of localities where there is minimal activity – these could benefit from a programme of social media surgeries

CategorySearch terms (examples only) Older peopleElderly, OAP, over-65s (80s, 90s), pensioners, carers. Traffic / transport / roads Gritting, potholes, link roads, safer roads, speeding, drink-driving, crashes. RuralVandalism, graffiti, plant theft, Gypsy, traveller, broadband, lamping. HealthHospital, care, GP, doctors, maternity, wards, hospital beds. CutsLibraries, vulnerable / disabled children, slash, closure. PlaceAny site that has been found as a result of place only searching.

What were people talking about?

What are people talking on?

Recommendations Introduction of agreed hashtags (#) to address service issues. trial marketing and public information messaging via networks using the environmental communities of interest (escc what proactive work could be done with an online community in advance of a major event e.g. riots/civil disturbance

opportunity to work more closely with parish and town councils; –a programme of social media surgeries could look to offer these sites training?