Ok this is just a quick post about youth work online. The more I think about it (and to a small degree do it) the more I think that their is need for good quality youth work online. But I see a big challenge, do you set something up and let young people come to you or do you go out to where young people already are and interact with them there?
Where are these places (apart from facebook)?
How could a youth worker interact with young people in these settings?
How does Safeguarding apply online?
What would be your aims?
The list goes on, does anyone have any thoughts? Where do you think a youth worker could benefit the online youth community?
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D'Biz Community youth work
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one way that comes to mind is to make videos and post them on youtube. you could make all kinds of videos from vlogs to full-out productions on topics that you think young people might turn to the web to answer. the youth could come to you where they already are.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think is the purpose of online oyuth work ?
ReplyDeleteIs it just for communication or something else ?
I think it can be a good thing, but you cannot substitute online work for face to face work - where things are less likely to be misinterpreted, or you can have proper debate and conversation
Both excellent comments. The idea of some kind of podcasts (audio or video) is an idea that has been floated around and may have life in it. The video productions on topics intrigues me but what topics do you think we should cover?
ReplyDeleteI believe youth work is for more then communication. I believe the point of youth work online is the same as youth work face to face. To help young people live their lives to the fullness they deserve. Holistic development, encouragement and support. Online I am thinking may just be another venue/location just as detached youth work is the same but distinct from building based youth work.
There is an inherent danger of working online which needs investigation - namely, how do you really know who you are talking to, and how does the young person know which leader it is ?
ReplyDeleteSurely all online communication will need to be logged in some way so it can be recorded.
The safeguarding issues are huge and need a lot of work
I'm not saying online youth work is wrong - I already do it in a small form, but it is a dangerous area to go into and I, for one, would value some kind of workshop where we, as local (or national) youth workers can thrash through the issues together, as no one of us is gonna have all the answers
You are correct it is a dangerous field. But is it any more dangerous then face to face contact. The dangers are different but I'm wondering if they are comparable and we are just used to dealing with face to face dangers and all the online dangers are new and we are not used to dealing with them. Below I have got some thoughts on actions to keep the work safe.
ReplyDelete- Youth workers only use work computers
- Online work is always done in pairs and with each others screens in view.
- Install a keylogger programme like the link below. It will create logs of what is typed in messages and chats. http://www.spyarsenal.com/familykeylogger/
Also http://snoopon.me/ may be a good service.
- Share password to all online accounts to multiple co-workers and have set times for checking in with each other.
- Ensure work and personal online activity is kept separate.
What do people think about these ideas?
Is it more dangerous than face to face contact ? Yes - for a number of reasons
ReplyDeleteFirstly, face to face contact helps get past the barriers of misinterpretation (on both sides) a lot quicker. It is more instant than any instant messaging service can be as speech is quicker than typing
Secondly, face to face contact does not have the possibilty of running out of battery (except perhaps at the end of a Lock In (!) ), or losing the signal
Thirdly, face to face contact cannot be hacked into.
Fourthly, I'm not sure how parents would feel about their young people talking with youthworkers online. The setting of a youth club is vastly different than a teenager's bedroom or lounge.
Whilst, I hope, all our worker's intentions are pure, this may not seem the case to outsiders. The question may be raised as to why there is the need for online communication such as chat ?
I do think there is value on ideas such as podcasts, videos, information sharing, but I feel the 1 to 1 side of online youth work is unnecessarily dangerous, and at present, I would not advise any youthworker to get involved in such work
I don't think it is more dangerous, and I have responded to your points below. I do think it has dangers but it also has advantages.
ReplyDelete"Firstly, face to face contact helps get past the barriers of misinterpretation"
Online is not always worse then in real life. Plus online (say a thread of comments) can be re-read multiple times so you can take time to think about what has been said and take time to compose a response. In the real world you dont get this luxury you have one chance to listen to what you think has been said and one chance to respond with no prep time. This can mean real life conversation can have very unfortunate statements expressed and then can be taken out of context. How much do workers remember word for word what they hear, online work can have a permanent record. This can clear up misinterpretation.
"Secondly, face to face contact does not have the possibilty of running out of battery"
Not sure how this is dangerous, but if online work was only done at the office when would this happen if you are prepared? I don't think online work should be done on the bus/train on the way to work.
"Thirdly, face to face contact cannot be hacked into"
No but every youth club I have ever known could be broken into. Also some (evil) person could set up a youth group claiming to be linked to a church. We would possibly only find this out after it has started up (and hopefully report it/stop it if it was dangerous).
"Fourthly, I'm not sure how parents would feel about their young people talking with youthworkers online."
This is a genuine point that should be tackled with good information for both young people and parents. I'm not convinced this is any more dangerous then parents letting young people come to a strange building with adults they don't know, or to a youth workers house for a small group? It has dangers but is it more dangerous?
Some points why online could be safer.
Firstly everything could be recorded for safety/accountability and to provide evidence if questions are asked.
Secondly no face to face meeting means less possibility of physical harm. You can not hit someone through facebook. An activity (bouncy castle for example) can not break an ankle. The young person can't trip over the old floor boards and an online youth club could not be burnt down. A persons home/office is a low risk area compared to many youth work settings.
Thirdly it is easier to link young people to sources of help and advice (websites etc)
Fourthly the online delay in responding gives time for a youth worker to seek advice on issues that they are unsure on.