‘We Often Say We Lost Our Childhood, but I Think It Gave Us a Lot More than It Took Away’: Interpreting Youth Activism— Online and Offline

Abstract

Youth activism has gained considerable attention in recent years, partly due to the global climate movements. Central to these movements are digital platforms, as the online and offline spheres become increasingly intertwined. To better understand youth activism and the complex interplay between the online and physical realms, we conducted an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), focusing on youth climate activists in Hungary and Czechia. The IPA approach allowed us an in-depth exploration of activists’ lived experiences, with a particular focus on the digital dimension. By placing young people’s lived experiences centre stage, we argue that young people show a deep involvement in activism, akin to having a job where they learn new skills, experience burnout, form new communities and use digital tools to enhance their visibility, while maintaining boundaries. Our analysis shows that activism becomes a space for non-formal learning, helping youth navigate challenges in both online and offline worlds.