A quick example of what to do and what not to do when using social networking sites for youth engagement work.

2. Hi! Message between You & Chloe Hi Vicki, how was your summer? Went to the cinema last night, haven’t seen you for ages! How have you been? Let’s meet up! Chloe x 1 new message Chloe

3. Mev Tom Gaskin wants to be your friend! 1 new friend request Add Ignore

4. Vicki Tom Gaskin wants to be your friend! 1 new friend request Add Ignore

5. Tom Gaskin is now friends with Vicki and Mev 1 new notification

6. Tom Gaskin is at the Coach & horses pub tonight (2 hr ago) Write something on Tom’s wall… View photos of Tom Send Tom a message Alexia Zinonos wrote: “ Hi Tom are we still meeting up at the weekend?” Tom Gaskin’s Profile

7. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Hi I’m a youth worker. I’m interested in finding out your views on the services provided for young people in the area. I’m hoping I can take a few moments of your time to ask you a few questions. First of all do you know what a youth worker is? 1 new message Tom Gaskin

8. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Go away I don’t wanna help you Mev

9. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Yeah I’ll help you out if you want, to be honest I think every1 knows what a youth worker is Go away I don’t wanna help you Mev David

10. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Erm hi, er when u talk about services in norfolk, what ones in particular are u talking about coz ive lived here all my life and cant say theres much evidence of any youth 'services' at all. We've pretty much been left to our own devices and u lot wonder why we just hang round parks etc, maybe if u gave us somewhere to go or do without being stereotypical and automatically assuming we r causing trouble then u wouldnt need to go askin peoples opinions. Vicki

12. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Erm hi, er when u talk about services in norfolk, what ones in particular are u talking about coz ive lived here all my life and cant say theres much evidence of any youth 'services' at all. We've pretty much been left to our own devices and u lot wonder why we just hang round parks etc, maybe if u gave us somewhere to go or do without being stereotypical and automatically assuming we r causing trouble then u wouldnt need to go askin peoples opinions. Vicki

13. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Hi Vicki, thanks for your reply. This is exactly what I was looking for when I started experimenting with Facebook for youth work.If you tell me that there is no services around I can tell the people who have a responsibility to sort something out!I would really appreciate it if you would accept my friend request as you seem really passionate about these issues and maybe you could help by telling us what you think we should be doing? Tom Gaskin

14. Hello Message between You, Tom Gaskin , Vicki , Jack , Toby , David and 10 more Just to be clear I am employed by the Norfolk County Council as a youth worker you can check this by calling 01603 485999 (opt.3). Hope to hear from you soon If you ever want to find something to do in your local area like a youth club, football team, arts or dance etc you can find it on www.norfolkblurb.co.uk/t2d Tom Gaskin

17. www.norfolk blurb .co.uk Produced by Norfolk Blurb All examples used are from real interactions with young people however their names and photos have been changed to protect their identity.