The Local Connection Crisis: New Data on What Communities Need

The Center for Media Engagement collaborated with New_ Public to understand which local digital spaces people use, how they use and view them, and how they feel about their community.

Key Findings

  • People already value and use local digital spaces…but they could be better. “Community stewards” could move the needle.
  • There’s an interest gap between what people are getting from their local digital spaces and what they want.
  • People leave local digital spaces when they encounter toxicity, or when the groups make them feel unwelcome, annoyed, overwhelmed, or like they don’t fit.