Mobile Access to Government Information and Services Trends and Federal Actions

Today, millions people use mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers on a daily basis to communicate and obtain information. Further, due to recent technical advances in mobile technology, consumers can use these devices to carry out a broad range of activities that previously required a desktop or laptop computer including shopping, banking, and accessing government services. Given these trends, providing government information and services "anytime, anywhere, and on any device" has become increasingly important, particularly as some mobile users may not have any other means of online access. This book describes the demographics of mobile users and the factors that might be associated with the increased use of mobile devices; the devices individuals are using to access government services and the challenges people face; and the actions the federal government has taken to enhance access to government services via mobile devices. This book also examines a report on Congress Member adoption and use of two social networking services: Twitter and Facebook. The book analyses data on Member use of Twitter and Facebook collected by an academic institution in collaboration with the Congressional Research Service during a two-month period between August and October 2011 and the adoption of both platforms as of January 2012.