Digital Media Shapes Youth Participation in Politics
by Joseph Kahne, Ellen Middaugh
Social media are changing how youth involve themselves in politics. Educators also must change how they prepare students to be involved citizens. Outlets for youth activism and civic participation aren’t new, but two things distinguish these recent examples from traditional ones: They are peer created and directed, and they rely on social media. Almost overnight, youth civic participation has become a different ball game. Social media is a phenomenon that could dramatically change how and how much young people participate civically, including voting. Schools will continue to play a vital role in preparing students to be citizens. But educators must be prepared to play by different rules and on this different field.