Israeli Representatives' Use of and Attitudes Toward Web Applications

The Use Of Social Media And Web 2.0 In Politics

The development of the World Wide Web in general, and the growth of social media and Web 2.0 in particular, created a new communications environment, which allows for direct, bilateral, updated and fast communication between representatives and their voters. It is important to note that the terms social media and Web 2.0 are often used interchangeable. However, scholars talk about Web 2.0 as referring mainly to online applications and use the term social media to describe the social aspects of Web 2.0 applications. Examples of these aspects include participation, openness, conversation, community and connectedness (e.g., Constantinides & Fountain, 2008; Zafarani et al., 2014).

The technological features and capabilities of social media and Web 2.0 have transformed the Internet from a space in which users passively consume information to an active medium where users can take a pro-active and interactive part in creating, exchanging and distributing information (e.g., Constantinides & Fountain, 2008; Jackson & Lilleker, 2011; Helms, 2012; Zittel, 2012; Klinger, 2013; Van Dijck, 2013; Kaigo & Okura, 2016; Valaei & Baroto, 2017). Scholars have identified five characteristics of social media that are used extensively by legislators - immediacy, openness, inclusiveness, the opportunity to debate issues of concern and sharing (Jackson, 2003; Zittel, 2003; Ward & Lusoli, 2005; Coleman, 2006; Norton, 2007; Leston-Banderia & Ward, 2008; Jackson & Lilleker, 2011; Helms, 2012; Hoffman, 2012; Jericho, 2013; Kaigo & Okura, 2016).