Civic Life Online: Learning How Digital Media Can Engage Youth

Citation

Doldi, L. (2009), "Civic Life Online: Learning How Digital Media Can Engage Youth", Online Information Review, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 615-616. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520910969998

Younger generations have disconnected from conventional politics and government in alarming numbers. This seems to be a trend not only in the USA but also in some European democracies like Germany, Sweden and the UK. The reasons for this disconnection seem to be many and of varying origins. Among others, adults are frequently negative about politics, and candidates seldom appeal directly to young voters. At the same time, however, there are impressive signs of youth civic engagement in non‐governmental areas, with notable involvement in social causes.

To explain this apparent paradox various theories are proposed. One of these is that we are facing a separation between communication channels: on one side traditional official communication tools and channels, and on the other side the growing number and importance of online social networks, of peer networks, of online social communities and many other more autonomous forms of public expression. It simply seems that engaged youth open the door to a new spectrum of civic action in online expression channels, instead of participating in government‐centred channels or activities. In this contest it becomes important to:

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  understand and recognise the communication and identity preferences of young citizens;

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  understand changing citizenship; and

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  build bridges among the different elements of society and between generations.

The contributors of this book discuss in nine chapters not only how online networks might inspire conventional political participation, but also how creative uses of digital technologies are expanding the boundaries of politics and public issues. This expansion of boundaries is not only a chance for politics to recapture the interest and enthusiasm of young people, it also represents a chance for a modern concept of democracy, in which citizenship “is not merely inherited as found, but made through creative experience”.

The book, written in plain English, offers an opportunity to reflect on the connection between technology and political attitudes, and on the need for a global and transparent debate about how the digital mediasphere is reshaping the expectations and prospects of young people in democratic societies.

Theoretical discussions are often interspersed with examples of the use of media and online technologies to support civic experience and of tools for civic engagement for youth. This structure makes for pleasant reading in a book that is both challenging and informative.