SOCIAL MEDIA

YOUTH PARTICIPATIONIN LOCAL DEMOCRACY

A practical guide from the LGiU Action Learning SetEdited by: Jasmine Ali, LGiU& Tim Davies, Practical Participation

Acknowledgements

This document has been compiled from the shared learning of Action Learning Set participants:Nicki Eames & Gill Jones (Birmingham City Council), Lynne Pickles (Blackburn with Darwen BoroughCouncil), David Holtam (Cardiff City & County Council), Joanne King & Martin Webster (DarlingtonBorough Council), David Graydon (Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council), John Addicott & JoBrocklebank (Hampshire County Council), Louise Piper (Kent County Council), Carl Whistlecraft(Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council), Stephen Brown & Darran Hale (Lancashire County Council),Roger King (London Borough of Croydon), Petra Roberts (London Borough of Hackney), Jo Young(London Borough of Merton), David Ivens (Leicestershire County Council), Graham Reeves(Lincolnshire County Council), Jonathan Arundell (Medway Unitary Council), Abdul Allan, EmmaHosking & Terry Isles (Milton Keynes Council), Tom Gaskin & Ariane Hoppler (Norfolk CountyCouncil), Paul Stimpson & Sam Tasker (Nottinghamshire County Council), Kath O

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Rourke (RushmoorBorough Council), Elizabeth Cameron (Salford City Council), Laura Payne (South Hams DistrictCouncil), Jessica Linacre (Stevenage Borough Council), Denise Drake (Tower Hamlets SummerUniversity), Joy Jenkins (West Berkshire Council) and Phoebe Brazier (Wiltshire County Council).Thanks also to all the speakers who contributed to the Action Learning Set, including: Alex Nagel(CEOP), Josie Fraser, Paul Henderson, Steven Flower (Substance), Harry Harrold (Neontribe),Nathalie McDermott (On Road Media), Carl Haggerty (Devon County Council), Bill Badham (TheNational Youth Agency), Pete Cranston, Dr Mark Wheeler (London Metropolitan University), JuliaGlidden (21st Century Consulting), Alice Casey (Involve) and Liz Azyan (LGEO Research).Thanks to Phil Jones Policy Analyst (LGiU) for his editorial advice and expertise.The Action Learning Set was facilitated by Tim Davies (Practical Participation) and Jasmine Ali (LGiU)with support from Kierra Box (Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership), Kallum Taylor (Children

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sServices Network) and Pat Stevens (LGIU).

An online companion resource is available at:http://www.practicalparticipation.co.uk/yes/Correspondence to: tim@practicalparticipation.co.uk

About the LGiU

The LGiU is the largest, most influentialthink-tank and representative body operating in the space betweenTown Hall, Whitehall, Westminster and communities. Now in its 26thyear, the LGiU continues to make a significant impact on public policy.In 2008 the LGiU was awarded the Public Affairs News award forthink-tank of the year.

Design: Victoria McManusGraphics: Glenn SwannCover illustration: Steve Caplin

About CSN

The Children

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s Services Network (CSN) is part of theLGiU. It is dedicated to improving outcomes for all children, youngpeople and families and provides services of the highest quality to thechildren

’

s workforce.

Contents

ForewordIntroduction1What

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s it all about?2

Youth participation2Social network sites2Participation and social network sites3How are young people using social network sites?4Why use social networks to involve young people?5Making the case for using social network sites 7in youth participation

The practice10