Youth Work and Social Networking http://blogs.nya.org.uk/ywsn Oxford Internet Institute Social Networking Conference April 7 th 2008 Young people network photo by ranflickr , ( http:// flickr.com/photos/rainforestactionnetwork / . Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution licensed)

Youth Work Statutory sector youth service established in the 1960s Young person centred model – starting where young people are Informal education, associational, group work - moving beyond where young people start R esourcefulness, R esiliency, R esolve

Statutory sector youth service established in the 1960s

Young person centred model – starting where young people are

Informal education, associational, group work - moving beyond where young people start

R esourcefulness, R esiliency, R esolve

Youth Work 4,225 (3,630 FTE) Youth Workers, 17,000 (3,900 FTE) Youth Support Workers In contact with average 27.5% of local 13 – 19 year old population Works with excluded groups Source: NYA Audit, 2005-6 (www.nya.org.uk)

4,225 (3,630 FTE) Youth Workers,

17,000 (3,900 FTE) Youth Support Workers

In contact with average 27.5% of local 13 – 19 year old population

Works with excluded groups

Youth Work and Social Networking Literature review Survey Focus groups Action research

Literature review

Survey

Focus groups

Action research

49 % of internet users aged 8 to 17 have set up social networking profiles Increased online opportunity goes hand in hand with increased risk to young people Young people have contradictory attitudes towards safety online

49 % of internet users aged 8 to 17

have set up social networking profiles

Increased online opportunity

goes hand in hand with

increased risk to young people

Young people have contradictory

attitudes towards safety online

Keeping in contact Sharing content Exploring identity Hanging out Making new contacts Informal learning www.flickr.com/photos/28859335@N00/120018144 http://flickr.com/photos/mshades/169570194/ http://flickr.com/photos/loosepunctuation/959524837/ http://flickr.com/photos/morgantepsic/176795867/ http://flickr.com/photos/lewiselementary/152620388/ http://flickr.com/photos/andreasnilsson1976/530776998/

Youth Work and Social Networking Online survey of 120 youth workers, support workers, administrators and managers December 2007 – January 2008

Online survey of 120 youth workers, support workers, administrators and managers

December 2007 – January 2008

Opportunities for young people Increased opportunities for self expression (64%) Developing wider range of contacts in the UK and internationally (60%) Getting involved in real world positive activities (31%)

Increased opportunities for self expression (64%)

Developing wider range of contacts in the UK and internationally (60%)

Getting involved in real world positive activities (31%)

Risks to young people Bullying (53%) Disclosing personal information (35%) Abuse and exploitation (29%) Too much time on computer (23%) Risks from sexual predators (22%)

Bullying (53%)

Disclosing personal information (35%)

Abuse and exploitation (29%)

Too much time on computer (23%)

Risks from sexual predators (22%)

Opportunities for youth work Social network sites already being used for: Promotion and recruitment Keeping in contact Engagement & participation Sharing media from groups and events

Social network sites already being used for:

Promotion and recruitment

Keeping in contact

Engagement & participation

Sharing media from groups and events

Youth Work and Social Networking 90% believe youth work has a crucial role supporting young people to navigate risks of social networking. 85% believe youth work has a crucial role supporting young people to make the most of the opportunities of social networking

90% believe youth work has a crucial role supporting young people to navigate risks of social networking.

85% believe youth work has a crucial role supporting young people to make the most of the opportunities of social networking

Challenges 90% believe that they have a crucial role supporting young people to navigate risk 42% feel equipped to provide that support. 44% believe web filters to be effective way to manage risk 81% find web filters are used in their work settings 86% believe that training for youth workers would be effective in maximising support for young people 29% have received such training 29% have access to SNS in their work settings

Where next? (Very early suggestions arising from the research…) Resources and training Examples of good practice A focus on ‘capacity building first’ Wider consideration of impact of technology on young people

Resources and training

Examples of good practice

A focus on ‘capacity building first’

Wider consideration of impact of technology on young people

http://www.nya.org.uk/research http://blogs.nya.org.uk/ywsn 17 th May 2008 http:// www.ukyouthonline.org [email_address] http://www.timdavies.org.uk Links to credits for Creative Commons photos from Flickr.com are included on images. Graphics by Small Kid Design ( http://www.smallkid.co.uk/)