Children and youth in challenging contexts, both in Canada and overseas, face common threats to their mental health that can be better addressed when researchers, service providers, practitioners and communities pool their knowledge, resources and lessons learned of what works best for improving young peoples’ mental health. If these groups continue to work within their occupational and disciplinary boundaries, they will fail to mobilize the full potential of evidence documented by researchers, the practice-related knowledge of service providers and practitioners, and the local knowledge of communities. The CYCC Network was developed in response to this need and in the summer of 2013, released three thematic knowledge synthesis reports: violence, technology, and youth engagement. Recent years have seen an explosion of new, innovative programs that focus on improving the lives of vulnerable young people through the use of technology. The internet has opened doors of opportunity to reach these children and youth in more effective ways with the information and support they need to lead healthy lives. Today, mobile phones are one of the most prolific mediums through which interventions can be delivered. While the rapid developments made in technology present many opportunities, the expansion of this field has not been mirrored in the development of research and evaluation of those innovations. There is a need for more evidence to support the use of technology as a means of intervention with children and youth in challenging contexts. In response to this gap, the knowledge synthesis report on technology reviews innovations in technology that are known to be effective in helping children and youth in the most challenging of contexts, to nurture resilience, prevent mental health problems, and build a special place for themselves in the collective life of their communities. Read and download the full report at http://cyccnetwork.org/technology

1. Using Technology to Provide Support to Children
and Youth in Challenging Contexts
Knowledge Synthesis Report 2013
Prepared By: Emily Zinck
Advisory Committee: Patrick McGrath, Judi Fairholm, Chris
Mushquash, and Maria Luisa Contursi

2. “WE USE TECHNOLOGY AS
A WAY OF MEETING YOUTH
WHERE THEY ARE.”
Heather Miko-Kelly
Youth Projects and Volunteer Coordinator
mindyourmind

3. GUIDING QUESTION:
Which innovations in technology are known to be
effective in helping children and youth in the most
challenging of contexts nurture resilience, prevent
mental health problems and build a special place for
themselves in the collective life of their communities?

4. Focus on Technology
Innovations in electronic media that have been
used with children and youth in challenging
contexts to help prevent violence and promote
well-being.

5. Types of Technology
Hardware Software
Telephone Internet
Computers Tele-health
Mobile Phones Interactive Websites
– Smart Apps Social Media
– SMS (Text Video games
message)

6. Population Groups
• Children and youth affected by • Aboriginal children and youth
war • Homeless children and youth
– Child soldiers • Youth gangs
– Children and youth in military
• Child labourers
families
– Children and youth in the
• Refugee children and youth workplace
• Children and youth affected by – Children and youth who have
natural disasters been trafficked
• Immigrant children and youth • Children and youth living with
• Children and youth subject to health-related challenges
maltreatment – Children and youth living with
• Children and youth in alternative chronic illness
care – Children and youth living with
mental illness
– Children and youth in institutions
– Youth in juvenile detention

7. Pyramid of Evidence

8. RECOMMENDATIONS

9. #1- Embrace Technology.
Start by looking at what gaps could be
addressed through the use of technology
(e.g., access, support-needs)
– Strongest Families

10. #2- Foster Partnerships
among Stakeholders.
Forming partnerships can help strengthen
and inform your practice, allowing for more
effective and relevant service delivery.
– Mobile Voice
– SpunOut

11. #3- Engage Youth as Partners
in Developing Programs.
Engage children and youth in program
development, implementation, and
evaluation.
– mindyourmind
“What really makes the difference is not the technology
itself but the engagement that happens in
implementing and creating those platforms with youth.”
Maria Luisa Contursi

12. CROSS-CUTTING THEMES

13. #4- Promote the Sustainability of
Programs/Interventions.
Funders should support the sustainable
development of a program or project that is
already active and successful.
– Zumbido: SHM Foundation

14. #5- More Evidence is needed to
Support the Use of Technology-
Based Programs.
Develop easy to use evaluation tools to
assess the effectiveness of interventions
using technology. These methods and
strategies can be developed through
partnerships between
practitioners, academics, and policy
makers.
– SPARX

15. #6- Ensure Technical &
Professional Competence.
In developing a project or
intervention, content development and
technical design are two key items that
need to be planned for by engaging with
professionals and academics who can help
inform an approach.
– One Laptop Per Child

16. #7- Acknowledge Diversity- Culture &
Context- in Program Delivery.
Technology offers opportunities for
programs and services to cross both
cultural and geographic borders
– WelTel Kenya1
– POI Mapping: Thailand

17. Thank You!!