Calling for case studies: how are you using social networks in work with young people?

[Tim Davies]

For the next part of the Youth Work and Social Networking research I'm hoping to put together a range of case studies on how youth services have engaged with online social networking. For example:

Has your service set up profiles on a social network?

Have you build your own bespoke social network? Or built social networking features into existing websites?

Do you offer training / advice sessions to young people on safe social networking?

Have you had staff training on using social networks?

Do you use social networks to promote positive activities in your youth service?

Are you engaging with social networks in some other way?

If so - drop me a line or drop a reply in here.

I'm particularly interested in:

*What you did and where the idea came from

*What benefits it has brought, and what the challenges have been in getting it to work

*The one thing you would do differently if you were starting the project again today

*The one thing you would definitely keep the same

I'm aiming to write up as many case studies as I can - and to feature them in the final report (which will be a lot more accessible / visually appealing than the interim paper...)

[Helen]

Hey Tim, I'm happy to answer these questions - but as most of what we do is online, just want to check that my responses would still be useful?

[Tim Davies]

Hello Helen

They definitely would... feel free to either answer in a reply to this thread, by e-mail - or I can arrange to give you a call and to talk through the questions...

Tim

[Mog]

At Canllaw Online we have been involved in the implementation of the Russell Commission in Wales (equivalent in England is the V portal) We've run a couple of residentials and helped to set up the youth led panel and constituted group "Gwirforce".

As part of this I set up a Myspace page where the youth panel could exchange ideas, post comments and generally as a communication tool in lieu of their portal being developed. The space was completely private and closed, administered by us and the only way in was through specific invite.

Unfortunately, the welsh assembly government were not able to join us as Myspace is a "banned" URL on their server. This is a hurdle i have come across repeatedly in my attempts to promote proactive online youth work in many LA's across Wales.

At canllaw we actively promote information for young people through our portal where YP from all across Wales via a network of 112 "digilabs" can access info, upload and contribute to the site and online discussions. My aim is to "signpost" services using SNS as I believe that if we are to work with young people then we should be where young people are, and that seems to be on SNS.

I've come across some negative attitudes to this concept in my work, which seem mainly based on a misunderstanding of how these sites operate and worries around security and safety. I have been lucky enough to work with wisekids here in Wales who offer a fantastic awareness and safety program as part of their many areas of expertise, and their attitude towards media literacy is extremely positive. Also as part of the Wales Media Literacy Network with Ofcom, I hope the message is starting to get across especially to Youth Workers and other professionals working with young people.

The future implementation of SNS within our organisation includes plans to develop writing groups as well as continuing to signpost young people to the resources and information they need in order to make better life choices.

[jon]

Hi Tim,

We have recently been doing a lot of work with social networking here at Info-Nation in Swansea.

Has your service set up profiles on a social network?

Until now we have been unable to do this due to various restriction and policies as we are part of the local authority, however it looks like they will now allow us to set up profiles that redirect to our own network.

Have you build your own bespoke social network? Or built social networking features into existing websites?

We have built our own ning site i-Nation this is slowly being introduced to young people we work with in the centre and we are hoping to do a full launch in the next few weeks.

Doing things this way means we can control who has access to the site at young people have to register with the centre in person. We can also moderate the site ourselves and make sure the right safety information advice and links are all in place.

Do you offer training / advice sessions to young people on safe social networking?

Yes we do. We deliver CEOP's Thinkuknow progamme in local schools, and youth clubs.

We also have loads of internet safety information located next to every computer in the centre, as well as videos and other info on big screens in the centre.

Have you had staff training on using social networks?

All of our current staff have attended CEOP's thinkuknow training, however that concentrates purely on safety issues.

Do you use social networks to promote positive activities in your youth service?
Yes we do.

[jon]

Oh and we have also worked with the Canllaw online using the Credu Portal.

[Helen]

Has your service set up profiles on a social network?

Yes, YouthNet has profiles on MySpace, Facebook and Bebo.

Have you build your own bespoke social network? Or built social networking features into existing websites?

We've used social networking functions within other sites like the ones mentioned, but also use other websites to create our own networks such a vbulletin for discussion forums, Ning for a closed social network on young people's consultation,
and realchat for our own chat rooms.

Do you offer training / advice sessions to young people on safe social networking?

Not at the moment, but we do have lots of content on our websites about safe social networking including netmates dos and dont's and meeting safely offline.

Have you had staff training on using social networks?

We have training on discussion moderation but it's mainly the marketing team who use external networks such as Bebo and Facebook. We are also a knowledge partner for Yahoo Answers - we have training for that.

Do you use social networks to promote positive activities in your youth service?

Yes, we use Facebook to promote our Respect? Campaign about improving perceptions of young people in through the media.

Are you engaging with social networks in some other way?

Not sure - let me think more about that one!

[Tim Davies]

Hey Helen

Thanks for this :) This is great. Really interesting to see how YouthNet is working through SNS.

Also interesting to learn how you are a Yahoo Answers partner.

Tim

[Diane Law]

Hi Tim
I have just set up a professional identity on Facebook, but not rolled it out yet. I want to make sure systems are in place with staff and they understand they are clear with the amended risk assesment (I think I sent you a copy of a version I got from Aussie), plus some protocols (do's don'ts) and then pilot it over the next few weeks with some young people we are already engaged with. we uploaded advice leaflet (which I 'm not sure y/p will necessaily read, but will also encourage workers to inform Y/P also

The idea came from thinking about my Master disseration subject about two years, just before you started the NYA research and an element of frustration on my part that Youth workers don't always disemminate information for young people out to them or promote opportunities. I hoped that using SNS might overcome this to so degree....but I could be niaive

The challenges have been setting the systems in place, considering the best options, convincing staff and I'm sure there will be many more once we start to go live. I can let you know