Open AccessEmpowering Youth: Use of Technology in Advocacy to Affect Social Change
Author(s) -
Thackeray Rosemary,
Hunter MaryAnne
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01503.x
Subject(s) - affect (linguistics) , public relations , action (physics) , collective action , raising (metalworking) , political science , psychology , politics , engineering , communication , quantum mechanics , law , mechanical engineering , physics
The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for integrating technology with youth advocacy efforts to affect social change and influence social determinants of health, particularly in 1) recruiting people to join the cause, 2) organizing collective action, 3) raising awareness and shaping attitudes, 4) raising funds to support the cause, and 5) communicating with decision makers. Making strategic decisions to combine technology and youth advocacy will give youth a voice, arm them with advocacy skills, and increase their self‐efficacy. These youth may become adults who are involved in larger policy‐based decisions that will address the social determinants of health that affect the health status of people in their communities and throughout the world.