Interpreting online dialogue/content between young people and practitioners

Social media can enable the voluntary engagement of young people.

Young people can decided if they want to engage and contribute.

There is no obligation and there is the removal of the pressure to appease adult(s).

I have a concern however, about the possiblemisinterpretation and over reaction by adults to young person(s) ‘written’ views and opinions expressed on a social media site/webpage. In my observations and experience we tend to hear and listen selectively however, with written evidence of dialogues and opinions of a young person(s) there is the possibility of adults over reacting and/or taking the ‘written dialogue’ “digital foot print”out of context and transfer ‘prejudices, perceptions and biased values’ without seeking clarification from the young person(s) involved.

There needs to be clear consultation, debate and discussion between young people and youth practitioners regarding the policy and framework on how to respond to online inappropriate comments and where these comments have been submitted.

I would anticipate that once comments are removed that an appropriate identified practitioner would contact the young person/group and review the situation facilitating discussion, reflection and learning about their views/opinions and the repercussions on others and themselves. There is a necessity to promote reflective and critical thinking amongst young people but also adults!

Young people need to have a clear understanding about how, where and to whom their contributions will be submitted. Also how they will receive feedback and what change/difference if any has taken place. Accountability and clear explanation of the participation process – communication cycle.

In our team we have taken the explicit decision NOT to click/enter into a young persons personal profile once they become ‘friends’ with geturvoiceheard profile as we consider it invasive. It would be like entering a young persons house without permission and no one being present.

However,if a young persons comment on our teams facebook “home page – news feed” raises concern we may consider making an intervention. To date we have had no inappropriate comments from young people directly on our facebook profile.

What about the ‘grey’ area?

This topic raises issues regarding young people’s value bases, ethics and morality in contrast to some practitioners or adults in regards to how they may express themselves through their comments or visual images on a SNS. As youth practitioners we should avoid dictating acceptable online behavior/conduct but instead promote an online collaborative learning environment to debate the above issues with young people.

Good articles/reports- worth reading with a cuppa & jaffa cakes

Young People, ethics and new digital media

Developing minds with digital media; habits of mind in the YouTube era