In 2009, the LGiU’s Children’s Services Network set up a special project in partnership with Practical Participation and other specialists to work with representatives from 30 local authorities. The project has provided useful insights into the mass phenomenon of social networking sites and the
opportunity they present for engaging young people in democratic activity.
This practical guide on youth participation and social network sites is based on the work of the project’s ‘action learning set’ over the past year. The set brought together staff from local authorities, young people and experts in social networking sites to explore the potential and practice of using social network sites for youth participation. The content includes important information and techniques suggested by the action set, invited expert speakers and additional research and shared learning developed by course participants in conjunction with their respective local authorities.