An empirical analysis of e-participation. The role of social networks and e-government over citizens' online engagement

• We explore the drivers of citizens' e-participation.
• e-Participation is mainly associated with internet-related resources.
• e-Skills, social networks and public commitment towards e-participation are key factors.
• However, a gender divide is detected over e-participation.
• Interestingly, unemployed people are found to be more likely to participate online.

The aim of this paper is to further explore the drivers behind the decision of citizens to engage in social and political participation on the internet, since mixed empirical evidence has been found in the literature. Using data from the 2011 survey on the use of information and communications technologies by households and individuals in Spain, the following two types of e-participation are analyzed: reading/giving opinions about social/political issues and signing/taking part in online petitions/public consultations. Relying on an updated version of the resources approach, we investigate as to what extent e-participation is explained not only by traditional participation-related resources (i.e., socio-economic characteristics) but also by digital skills, social networks and the online development of public administrations. Results show that, while online participation is mainly associated with internet-related skills, there is a significant gender gap. Interestingly, the unemployed tend to engage socially and politically online more than the rest of the population.