Home Could Location-Based Services Increase Civic Engagement in Millennials?

Could Location-Based Services Increase Civic Engagement in Millennials?

Location-based social networking services like Foursquare, Gowalla and SCVNGR are increasingly popular, particularly among young people. Could game dynamics and technology be used to increase civic engagement and participation among them? Some intriguing tweets by the founder of Foursquare and an interview with the co-founder of Gowalla suggest that civic badges and other elements might be coming soon.

Here’s the story. Last week, Boston-based IBM consultant Eric Andersen (and Foursquare super-user) caught my notice with a simple tweet:

.bbpBox24948003518 {background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/9222121/TwitterBackArizonaBiltmore.jpg) #23482a;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@shuba_s yes, in fact most Boston-area Farmers’ Markets are on @Foursquare already – @digiphile even suggested a badge for this; great idea!less than a minute ago via FlockEric Andersen
eric_andersen

And guess what? Dennis Crowley, the founder of Foursquare, was listening:

.bbpBox24949071969 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/37747126/kittens.jpg) #FFFFFF;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@digiphile @eric_andersen It’s like you can read our minds!less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneDennis Crowley
dens

I replied: “Given how you research game theory & social media, I’d posit it’s you reading minds.”

Dennis wasn’t the only person with his ears on, either. Twitter VP Katie Stanton chimed in:

.bbpBox24949818934 {background:url(http://s.twimg.com/a/1285174584/images/themes/theme18/bg.gif) #ACDED6;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@dens love the idea (from @digiphile?) of a citizen badge (ie “I voted”, “I volunteered”) on 4sq. Am sure RTV & @allforgood would help!less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneKatie Jacobs Stanton
KatieS

Uber-blogger and director of Expert Labs Anil Dash was listening as well:

.bbpBox24955401217 {background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/87289771/twitter-friends-background.jpg) #9AE4E8;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@dens @katies @digiphile @allforgood could start simple – checkins to locations like churches, food banks, etc. get unique badges.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneAnil Dash
anildash

I remained focusing on voting: “While the volunteerism Anil Dash mentioned is important, I’m especially curious about game mechanics with young people in elections.”

Dens replied to all of us:

.bbpBox24954778839 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/37747126/kittens.jpg) #FFFFFF;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@KatieS @digiphile @allforgood Also digging thIs. Tough to know when someone “did” volunteering but would love to hear yer thoughts.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneDennis Crowley
dens

Katie had a suggestion:

.bbpBox24955233237 {background:url(http://s.twimg.com/a/1285174584/images/themes/theme18/bg.gif) #ACDED6;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@dens Perhaps add a “verification” API to volunteer org like @allforgood @vmconnect. After vol “check’s in”, they “verify” work was done …less than a minute ago via webKatie Jacobs Stanton
KatieS

And agreed with Crowley:

.bbpBox24955458691 {background:url(http://s.twimg.com/a/1284676327/images/themes/theme18/bg.gif) #ACDED6;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

… @dens make service actions cool and impactful. Also talk to @cindygallop1 (if i ran the world) & @jonathan_G (allforgood). Thanks!less than a minute ago via webKatie Jacobs Stanton
KatieS

He mused about a specific mechanism for Foursquare:

.bbpBox24955482802 {background:url(http://a1.twimg.com/profile_background_images/37747126/kittens.jpg) #FFFFFF;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@anildash @katies @digiphile @allforgood I like when badge unlocks are tied to real world donation dollars (courtesy of some sponsor etc)less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneDennis Crowley
dens

And Dash made another good point:

.bbpBox24955500550 {background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/87289771/twitter-friends-background.jpg) #9AE4E8;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}

@dens @katies @digiphile @allforgood Don’t forget, just noting the accessibility of a venue makes the checkin itself a form of volunteering.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneAnil Dash
anildash

I agreed with him on that, since that’s an important note on the accessibility of venues. He also reminded me of his post on Ability Maps, #Deaf Mayors and $1000 Strollers, where he made an intriguing suggestion about location-based services:

Let users of a service like Foursquare log in to a site and identify themselves by any accessibility concerns that they have. A user could log in with his social network identity, check a box that says he’s visually impaired or has difficulty climbing stairs, and then give the site permission to log his check-ins to various venues. The terms of service could specify that no individual information would ever be shared, only aggregated data.

Once a few users had signed in and check-ins started to be recorded, it’d be possible to ask “Which venues in this area are popular amongst people who’ve identified themselves as blind?” If there’s a restaurant with a disproportionate number of check-ins from blind diners, then odds are, they’re doing a decent job of accommodation. Found a theme park that’s popular with patrons who use a wheelchair? It’ll probably be suitable for other folks on wheels, too.

So will Foursquare roll out anything like what Dash described? Or integrate the service into elections? Well, the story got more interesting Friday. As noted in ReadWriteWeb’s post on a “Recommendation Engine,” Foursquare announced a partnership with CNN, which will give a “healthy eater” badge to anyone who checks-in at one of 10,000 farmers markets.

Might civic badges be next? Keep on eye on Dennis’ feed. And in the meantime, watch Gowalla. As my interview with the Gowalla co-founder Josh Williams on social media for citizen engagement at today’s AMP Summit showed, that location-based social network already has moved into this space.

Will Fourquare match Gowalla’s moves, sending a million updates that “I voted!” into Twitter in November? Stay tuned. If the companies decide to compete around catalyzing civic engagement in millennials, it could be a win-win for the grown members of the services and for the country.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.