Young people participation, supported by the advent and the use of social media, seems to increase and become more definite, especially when it is linked to the local territory and its activities. In this respect, the connections the youths are able to create online, go beyond the web, also developing social interactions with local communities. This article, starting from these premises aims at investigating more deeply the debate about the civic use of the web by young people. The analysis focuses on 20 youth movements (cultural, social collective and environmental ones), with national/international relevance, mainly related to the web. Taking into account 5 main dimensions - internationalization, level of organization, participation, communication and benefits for the social structure –the paper point outs different dynamics among the movements related to: a) the use of the net b) the transfer from the on line communication exchange to the local implementation of the civic actions c) the involvement of the local public opinion. Moreover, the study reveals strong connections among participants, both in terms of bridging and bonding links so that the movements may be considered as an promising opportunity to strengthen civicness and foster social capital.
Bridging and bonding connections beyond the web: youth movements and civic engagement
D'AMBROSI, LUCIA;
2012-01-01
Abstract
Young people participation, supported by the advent and the use of social media, seems to increase and become more definite, especially when it is linked to the local territory and its activities. In this respect, the connections the youths are able to create online, go beyond the web, also developing social interactions with local communities. This article, starting from these premises aims at investigating more deeply the debate about the civic use of the web by young people. The analysis focuses on 20 youth movements (cultural, social collective and environmental ones), with national/international relevance, mainly related to the web. Taking into account 5 main dimensions - internationalization, level of organization, participation, communication and benefits for the social structure –the paper point outs different dynamics among the movements related to: a) the use of the net b) the transfer from the on line communication exchange to the local implementation of the civic actions c) the involvement of the local public opinion. Moreover, the study reveals strong connections among participants, both in terms of bridging and bonding links so that the movements may be considered as an promising opportunity to strengthen civicness and foster social capital.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
