This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Even before they are old enough to vote, some young people are finding ways to make a difference. Civic engagement among youth ages 15 to 25 can range from volunteering in the community and joining a protest march to signing a petition or expressing political views on social media, according to Portland State University researcher Yue Ni.
Ni, an assistant professor of applied developmental psychology, approaches youth civic participation from a developmental, strengths-based perspective. "I recognize young people as active contributors to society who may contribute in their own creative ways," Ni said. "In developmental science, we also see civic engagement as an important experience that supports young people's own growth and well-being." Ni's research examines how digital spaces are changing the ways young people participate in their communities and society—and how it's impacting their personal well-being.
Two of her recent studies, published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology and Research in Human Development, explore these dynamics. We caught up with Ni to discuss the opportunities and challenges of online civic engagement and what she wishes adults understood about the next generation. Over the past decade, digital spaces have become an increasingly important part of young people's civic lives.
Online and offline engagement are also becoming more interconnected. In our interviews, young people described starting their own organizations online, using social media to raise awareness and mobilizing others to participate in in-person activities. The important shift is not just how much young people participate, but how they participate.
They now have more ways to contribute on their own terms. My research also shows that young people from different backgrounds participate in different ways. If we focus only on traditional activities, we risk overlooking meaningful contributions and mistaking changes in how young people participate for a decline in civic engagement.
I think digital platforms are changing not only where and how young people participate, but also who gets to participate and who they can reach. Young people who feel uncomfortable discussing social or political issues in offline settings, for example, may find online spaces where they can express their views, learn from different perspectives and challenge dominant narratives. Researchers have called these spaces "civic laboratories," where young people can see how others express their civic opinions and practice their own authentic civic voice.
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