eParticipation for young people
Happy to use online technologies
eParticipation methods and tools are particularly attractive for young people as they are more likely to use the internet than other age groups and it provides them with a non-threatening environment in which they can participate effectively in our democratic processes. This enables them to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
The UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is keen to support those who want to involve children and young people in decision-making and to help them find ways to do so more effectively. See the DfES Listening to Learn action plan
However, it should be acknowledged that not all young people prefer to use new technologies to have their say and so again, a multi-channel integrated participation strategy should be considered for young people as well.
e-Citizenship education in schools which encourages children to learn about their democratic institutions and processes through e-learning methods are now the norm rather than the exception so it is likely that e-participation practice will continue to grow and re-shape itself for many generations to come.
More information about e-citizenship is available at:
Hansard's citizenship & education programmes and news coverage on the BBC.
The Scottish Executive has a Junior exec website which encourages teachers, parents and children to learn more about our democratic institutions and how they can participate in the democratic processes. The Highland Youth Voice initiative at is also playing an important role in engaging young Scottish people and enabling them to have a voice on matters that are important to them.
Other examples of youth e-participation initiatives include the Hansard Society's (supported by DfES) 'headsup' initiative at which is a great way for policy-makers to engage with young people in schools, the Generation Europe site and the Generate youth site. Some even use different tools like online quizzes or the use of avatars
The use of gaming software techniques such as computer and video games (FloodRanger is an educational game about managing flood defences along rivers and coasts) can also be a powerful method to improve learning where it combines people's imaginations and sense of competitiveness within an educative environment. An example of this is the BBC's 'the guv'nor' game.
Of course, e-citizenship is not only for our youth of today - anyone can learn more about e-citizenship (John Cabot City Technical College Online Citizenship Course) and how they can actively be involved in their society.
e-Participation is just one of many ways in which government and citizens can engage effectively around matters of public importance. A multi-channel approach, that is a combination of both traditional and e-enabled methods and tools, to engage citizens is more likely to reach a wider and more diverse audience and contribute to better policy outcomes.