Pediatrics. 2017 Nov;140(Suppl 2):S127-S131. doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-1758Q.

Digital Media, Participatory Politics, and Positive Youth Development.

Middaugh E1, Clark LS2, Ballard PJ3.

Author information

1

Department of Child and Adolescent Development, San José State University, San Jose, California; ellen.middaugh@sjsu.edu.

2

Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado; and.

3

Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Abstract

Research on the social implications of adolescent technology use often focuses on identifying and preventing risk. However, adolescence is also a time of rapidly expanding capacities, expectations of autonomy, and identity exploration. In this article, we highlight findings from research in the field of youth civic development, which point to the importance of youth civic engagement during adolescence for later adult civic engagement as well as for promoting positive developmental outcomes. Researchers suggest that certain forms of Internet use (such as information seeking, social network site use, media production, and participation in online communities) promote civic engagement and that digital tools play an important role in youth empowerment efforts. In this article, we suggest a need for greater attention to efforts to promote digital media competencies among adolescents and for greater coordination of research on adolescent risk and adolescent autonomy and empowerment related to Internet use.