More Americans are using online tools as a way to connect to their neighbors and local communities, according to a new report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Nearly a quarter  (22%) of all adults (representing 28% of Internet users) have singed up to receive alerts about local issues such as traffic, weather alerts, school events and crime alerts via email or text messaging.

Twenty percent of all adults (27% of Internet users) used digital tools to talk to their neighbors and keep informed about community issues.

Overall, physical personal encounters are still the main way people stay informed about community issues.

In the year before the survey Pew found:

*46% of Americans talked face-to-face with neighbors about community issues

*21% discussed community issues over the phone

*9% exchanged emails with neighbors about community issues and 5 % say they belong to a community email listserv

*4% communicated with neighbors by text messaging

*4% joined a social networking site group connected to community issues

*2% followed neighbors using Twitter