Young People Participation in the Digital Society: A Case Study in Brazil

Abstract

Young people are key drivers of new behaviors and understandings. Their participation in the society allows the integration of their ideas and constructive analysis to foster policies and innovative solutions in which technology are an intrinsic element. Citizen science can be used to give voice to children and young people through the development of citizenship and approach to scientific debate. In the European context, the WYRED project has developed a methodological framework to support the participation of young people in the Digital Society through social dialogues and the support of a technological ecosystem to allow internationalization. This work aims to lay the groundwork to transfer the WYRED framework to the Brazilian context through a case study conducted in the Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. The study has allowed to identify the key topics that concern Brazilian young people in relation to desired social change: tolerance to different cultures/opinions; mental wellbeing; necessary changes in education (e.g. future-oriented education); self-image, self-confidence; and Internet safety & privacy.