There's a "new phenomenon among the homeless," the Boston Globe writes today.

It's "digital panhandling."

The Globe doesn't cite statistics to shore up its conclusion, but says that on blogs, in web forums and on Internet bulletin boards such as Craigslist, homeless Americans who have access to computers at libraries and other public places are soliciting help. It points to several places online:

— Homelessforums.org
— CyberBeg.com
— Begslist.blogspot.com

Back in June, NPR's Pam Fessler profiled Washington, D.C., homeless advocate Eric Sheptock, who uses Twitter, Facebook and a blog to "educate the public about what he and many others like him are up against":