Young people today lead varied and active digital lives, using the internet -and especially social media- to explore, connect, create and learn in ways never before imagined. However, social media is a double-edged sword and our young people are increasingly exposed to online behaviours that erode their confidence, interpersonal relations: online peer pressure and abuse, the search for aesthetic perfection, the over-sharing of personal information, the “echo chamber” effect and risks of radicalization all pose serious risks to the development of positive, confident, active young citizens. In addition, research shows that the complex social situations presented by social media require young people to have not only basic technical competences but also more highly developed critical thinking skills, as found in a media literacy approach. For these reasons, the aim of the Healthy Social Media project is clear: improve the ability of young people to critically assess and engage with digital and social media they are consuming and creating to become responsible, confident, digital citizens. In order to achieve this, we believe that suppliers of nonformal education to the youth sector have a key role to play. However, today’s adult youth leaders and trainers are at a disadvantage having grown up in a pre-digital world. Hence, our project methodology also works to provide them with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively teach social media literacy to the young people they serve. Specifically we will: • Undertake a thorough Needs Analysis Study to develop an accurate picture of the diverse digital lives of young people, including their motivations, behaviours and understandings. • Create a Toolkit of strategies and Open Educational Resources to teach digital citizenship in order to help young people critically assess and understand the implications of the digital footprint they are creating including modules on: o Defining Digital Citizenship o Privacy & security & safety o Propaganda & radicalization o Self image & identity & social relationships o Digital footprint and reputation o Digital drama/ conflict resolution o Information Literacy and critical thinking • Develop a Media Literacy App to provide an accessible and appropriate way for young people to learn or revisit information regarding different themes of the open educational resources. HOME will be delivered by six cross sectoral organizations from the community, youth, VET, private and non-profit sector each with a strong track record in youth work, social inclusion and citizenship, and education. The project will be lead by New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership (UK), a high profile community hub organization working with dozens of local and regional partners. They are joined by Canice Consulting Limited (UK), Fundación Nuestra Señora Aparecida (Spain), Momentum (Ireland), SPES Association for Cultural Relations (Slovenia) , and the European forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Belgium). HOME represents a new generation of youth education projects because of its ability to reach disadvantaged youth though the topic (informed and healthy social media usage) and delivery mechanisms. The project positions youth media literacy as a new route to increased citizenship and has the advantage of empowering young people and acquiring useful transversal skills in the process such as critical thinking, digital awareness and self esteem. As a result of our project: - hundreds of young people (16 – 30 yr olds), the majority from disadvantaged backgrounds, will acquire knowledge and skills to inform their and their peers social media usage, widening their own confidence, responsibility and skills ultimately useful for employers, and contributing to the wellbeing of those around them. - youth workers/educators and community and youth work organizations will adopt new strategies to incorporate new skills teaching, thus enhancing the relevance and quality of their work for problems facing youth in daily lives in today’s society - those responsible for youth public policy will find new ways of engaging with hard-to-reach young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds. - Schools, neighbourhoods and communities will experience increases in social cohesion and potential for future positive change as young people envisage a greater role in society.
Young people today lead varied and active digital lives, using the internet -and especially social media- to explore, connect, create and learn in ways never before imagined. However, social media is a double-edged sword and our young people are increasingly exposed to online behaviours that erode their confidence, interpersonal relations: online peer pressure and abuse, the search for aesthetic perfection, the over-sharing of personal information, the “echo chamber” effect and risks of radicalization all pose serious risks to the development of positive, confident, active young citizens. In addition, research shows that the complex social situations presented by social media require young people to have not only basic technical competences but also more highly developed critical thinking skills, as found in a media literacy approach. For these reasons, the aim of the Healthy Social Media project is clear: improve the ability of young people to critically assess and engage with digital and social media they are consuming and creating to become responsible, confident, digital citizens. In order to achieve this, we believe that suppliers of nonformal education to the youth sector have a key role to play. However, today’s adult youth leaders and trainers are at a disadvantage having grown up in a pre-digital world. Healthy Social Media projects has successfully completed as of 30.04.19. During the project timeframe all required targets have been completed as follows: IO1 Needs Analysis Study This Intellectual Output is complete, available on Dropbox and project website. All translations for IO1 have been completed and are all live online - http://www.healthysocialmedia.eu/social-media-study/ IO2 HOME Open Educational Resources. All partners have agreed that Intellectual Output 2 is complete, fit for the purpose and no adjustments are required. Final Open Educational Resources in all partner languages are now available on Dropbox, Nearpod and project website. All translations for IO2 have been completed and are all live online - http://www.healthysocialmedia.eu/social-media-study/ IO3 Phone APP All partners have agreed that the Intellectual Output 3 is complete, fit for the purpose and no adjustments are required. All translations for IO3 have been completed. According to partners‘ comments the quality of HOME App is very good and should be fit for the purpose, additionally MMS has created excellent resource. Project Management managed by NLDCHP via its participation in all project meetings and its robust financial management expertise. Quality Management & Evaluation managed by Drustvo SPES quarterly reports for the 8 quarters were produced on basis of survey monkey results- results show consistently that all partners(8) are fully familiar with their roles and responsibilities. Project communication has been handled efficiently and effectively in disseminating information and directives. Partners (8) have been able to complete all planned activities in accordance with the timetable. “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to be involved in some international work that is both rewarding and provides tangible outputs-learning resources and phone app to share with young people and educators alike - this is a luxury not often enjoyed by the CVS sector.“ Dissemination & Sustainability activities managed by EfVET through a partner dissemination template top capture all dissemination activites. 4 Ezines produced during project timeframe and the production of 2 project videos, one for multiplier events and one for continued promotion of HSM objectives. To check unique visitors to websites Downloads of app from itunes/playstore/project website Contact form enquiries 5 Mulitplier events have taken place as per project targets- in total 217 stakeholders from key youth organisations, VET, NGO's and public bodies in social development policy & practice- exceeding our target by 11%. 82% of respondents to muliplier evaluation were satisfied with events. Over 50% of respondents felt their expectations had been exceeded. Over 65 % of respondents stated that they were informed and learned about the goals of the project HOME at the conferences that were held. 52 out of a total 62 respondents stated that they will continue to use the resources and tools in the future. In the light of the foregoing, it can be concluded that multiplier events have been carried out with a very high level, being especially significant the impact they have had. As will be clear from the above the impact of this project has been seismic both in the partners regions but cumulatively as a whole. The project was timely and relevant at a time when even expert opinions are often contradictory, providing some much needed tools that can guide educators and young people alike through the social media maze.