Engaging young people online: risk or opportunity?
Seminar: Thursday 16th July 2009
Do you have a niggling feeling that social networking and social media are an opportunity for Children and Young People Services, but aren't quite sure exactly what to do about it?
Do you think the safety implications are a bit of a minefield?
This session will look at current research and practice on using social media in youth engagement, drawing upon the 2008 NYA research report "Youth Work and Social Networking", findings from action learning with Local Authorities. It will give you an overview of the opportunities for using social media in work with young people, and will explore how you can navigate possible risks. Using case studies, examples and presentations, you will:
- Understand the opportunities for young people and children & young people's services
- Understand the way young people approach new media, the changing landscape and the opportunities/challenges this offers youth services
- Gain insight into the risks involved for young people and ways of dealing with them
- Explore how social media is already successful in other areas
- Be able to take active steps to develop your staff's skills and knowledge in this area
Speakers
Tim Davies
Tim is Director of Practical Participation, an action research and consultancy organisation exploring youth participation, social media and social change.
Tim is also co-author the report Youth Work and Social Networking for the National Youth Agency in 2008, and is currently writing an online guide to Youth Engagement with Social Media.
Tim blogs at http://www.timdavies.org.uk
Chris Atkinson
Chris is a online safety and content management consultant who brings a unique 360 degree perspective to online child safety, helping organisations like NSPCC, Fox Interactive Media/MySpace and the DCFS cyberbullying taskforce to understand, assess and promote safe and responsible use of online networks.
Chris was one of the founder members of the UK Children's Charities Coalition on Internet Safety (CHIS), comprising all the major children's welfare organisations in the UK including Barnardos, Action For Children, Children's Society and the National Children's Bureau.
Chris' current and recent projects include:
- Safety Consultant to Tempero - e-moderation company, providing moderation services to the BBC CBBC, Channel 4 and others.
- Safety Consultant to an Arts based Social Networking Community
- Development of online safety guidance for the NSPCC/Sport England and their regional and local based sports partners
Hilary Mason
Hilary is Senior Manager with the Youth Service in West Sussex, where she is responsible for (among other things) Social Media. A regular blogger, Hilary has been using social media for over a year as a youth work tool and will be sharing her experiences of the medium.
Hilary blogs at: http://ukyouthblog.wordpress.com/
Who should attend?
- Directors of Children, Young People and Family Services
- Head/Directors of Corporate Communications
- Strategic decision makers of services for young people
This event is soley for public sector, charities, colleges and universities.
Sponsors
The Campiagn Company (TCC) is a vibrant and dynamic communications consultancy based in Croydon with offices in Sheffield. Our clients include local authorities, NHS bodies, Executive Non Departmental Public Bodies (ENDPBs), central government, membership organisations and third sector bodies.
Much of our work is focused on supporting organisations build relationships with hard to reach groups. We have particular experience of working with young people, established working class communities and people with learning difficulties.
TCC's work with young people is underpinned by a belief in a genuinely 'youth-led' approach, conditioned by an understanding of the unique context within which young people live, grow and develop.
Our experience ranges from pioneering the first ever young mayor election and facilitating the Young Mayor Network, to developing bespoke youth engagement initiatives for local authorities, all of which have a strong focus on the application of innovative web 2.0 technologies as a medium to reach 'seldom heard' children and young people.
We believe that social networks and other on-line resources are very powerful communication tools, but must be complemented by a robust 'off-line' methodology to ensure any campaign has the desired impact.