Technology Projects for Young People are probably the most popular ICT projects launched in communities. Most young people have been introduced to technology in their school environment, so community-based efforts often supplement and enhance basic skills learned in the classroom. They also offer an opportunity for young people who don¹t have a computer at home to expand their experience on the Net. These projects take many forms and are among the most innovative projects available in a community.

This project description was written by Terry Grunwald for the Scottish Communities Channel in 2001, but is now longer available there. We plan to update here shortly.

What do Technology Projects for Young People Do?

• Provide after-school programmes (one programme in the U.S. provides access until 2 a.m. to ensure there is a community activity available during the hours when young people may get in trouble).
  
  
• Involve young people in the design. development, and management of Internet Cafes.
  
  
• Engage young people in arts and multimedia programming that employ ICT tools and provide opportunities for creative expression ­ especially building their own web pages.
  
  
• Get local youth involved with community projects such as developing content and graphics for community web pages.
  
  
• Use the Net to help youth explore and establish career goals and build IT skills for future education and employment.
  
  
• Provide regional and international cultural exchange opportunities.

Resources

YouthLink Scotland is the umbrella body for voluntary youth organisations in Scotland.

Young Scot is a portal for Scottish youth. It offers Penpals, Helplines, and local contacts.

Community Learning Scotland has a Youth Issues Unit, which provides examples of Youth projects.

Youth OrgUK is a Youth Clubs UK Project. Its aims are to support youth by: (1) developing a virtual community to link and empower young people using the Internet for learning; (2) providing resources, information and advice for young people using the Internet: (3) supporting educators working with young people on the Internet.

The Children's Partnership in the U.S. published a study of Low-Income and Underserved Americans: The Digital Divide's New Frontier (in .pdf format). Page 16 of the study provides a sound description of the "Content and Tools Children and Youth Want." It¹s different from what Adults want and it falls into four basic categories (1) Participation and Self- Expression (2) Packaging and Interactivity (3) Multimedia and (4) Youth friendly Tutorials.

Models

Barrhead Log-In Café provides a Youth Internet Café and ICT Learning Centre. Young people were involved in every phase of development and design.

Key Lesson Learned: Success is largely due to a full-time outreach worker who spends time in the community at voluntary organisations youth programmes, village halls, and community centres. He takes laptops (6 at a time) into these locations to provide taster sessions and physically escorts young people to the Cafe. He also works with Scouts and Guides who are beginning to include ICT in their "badge" programme.