Civic Engagement, Pedagogy, and Information Technology on Web Sites for Youth

Abstract

Scholars of political socialization are paying increasing attention to how the Internet might help cure the civic disengagement of youth. This content analysis of a sample of 73 USbased civic Web sites for youth introduces a framework for evaluating Web sites' strategies for fostering active communication for citizenship. We offer the first systematic assessment of the extent to which a broad range of Web sites aims to develop young people's abilities to use information and communication technology (ICT) as a vehicle for civic participation and to engage with ICT as a policy domain that encompasses issues (such as freedom of speech and intellectual property rights) that shape the conditions for popular sovereignty online. The study finds low levels of interactive features (such as message boards) that allow young people to share editorial control by offering their own content. In addition, few sites employ active pedagogical techniques (such as simulations) that research suggests are most effective at developing civic knowledge, skills, and participation. We also find little attention to ICT policy issues, which could engage budding citizens in debates over the formative conditions for political communication in the information age. We conclude with suggestions for civic Web site designers and hypotheses for user studies to test.

Citizenship and Communication in Online Youth Civic Engagement Projects

“…Coleman (2008) also offers another view of how to bridge the citizenship types. If his prediction that citizenship models and communication styles will co-occur and the building consensus that young people prefer open, interactive learning and communication (Jenkins 2006;Livingstone 2007b;Bachen et al 2008) are correct, we should expect Dutiful sites to fail to reach many young people because they present learning opportunities in a stale, Managed form. But, we should look for sites that counter this trend -by offering Dutiful opportunities through an Autonomous environment.…”

“…For proponents of both paradigms, the Internet has become an attractive platform for fostering civic skills among young people, with online civic engagement projects rapidly becoming favourites of scholars, practitioners, and funders (Montgomery et al 2004;Livingstone 2007b;Bachen et al 2008;Coleman 2008). As we seek to understand the potential and challenges of such online engagement projects, we should recognize that different civic learning environments present different experiences for youth based on assumptions -often implicit -about what kind of citizenship and communication styles are appropriate in the training of young citizens (Westheimer & Kahne 2004;Coleman 2008).…”

Introduction to the International Study of Civic and Citizenship Education

“…• Research continues to emphasize the growing young people's engagement in society (Anduiza, Jensen, & Jorba, 2012;Bachen, Raphael, Lynn, McKee, & Philippi, 2008;Banaji & Buckingham, 2013;Kahne, Lee, & Feezell, 2011).…”

The Impacts of Political Socialization on People’s Online and Offline Political Participation—Taking the Youth of Singapore as an Example

“…With the advancement of the Internet in recent years, the potential of online media for engaging young people in civic affairs and changing the general attitude of indifference has become the focus of many political socialization studies (Bachen, Raphael, Lynn, Mckee, & Philippi, 2008). Opportunities offered by the new online channels of learning about political candidates have enhanced voters' interest in politics and political discussions (Dalton, 1996).…”