Information Society Watch

July 2007, Mark E. Kann, Jeff Berry, Connor Gant, and Phil Zager, First Monday

This article examines how American youths’ contributions to three online worlds — participatory culture, political consumerism, and civic engagement — function as possible gateways to their increased political participation. Youth engagement with these three online worlds suggests that the Internet creates opportunities for youth involvement in politics and provides a measure of motivation, facilitation, and invitation for that involvement. The authors analyse how online participatory culture promotes values that are conducive to democracy, including citizenship skills and encouraging political mobilisation. Nonetheless, for reasons discussed, it remains an open question whether youths will take full advantage of these opportunities (Adapted from authors).

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