RESOURCE FOCUS
Resource Focus: Guidance for communicating and working with young people online
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outreach, where we can invite young people to view and even participate in activities without ever having to cross the threshold of a church or other physical meeting space.”
s churches and particularly youth ministries rush to get up to speed with the latest ways of communicating online, this poses both a great opportunity to innovate and engage with young people in new and relevant ways, but also a significant risk in ensuring we continue to keep our children and young people safe from harm.
Technology allows us to reach beyond the physical barriers that exist and continue to stay connected. But what does this mean for youth work and particularly adapting to the change in physically meeting and holding events for young people?
As part of our ongoing partnership with the charity Youthscape, we’ve put together a set of guidance, on communicating and working safely with young people online. This is to help youth workers and churches that are thinking through the challenges and opportunities this presents.
Martin explains “Online youth work can take many forms which may include: Meeting as a group through an online video chat platform; Connecting with individuals and groups through messaging software; Broadcasting activities or video on social platforms; or a video call with a young person and two approved youth workers.
Martin Saunders, Director of Innovation & Deputy CEO at Youthscape says “Digital technologies present a huge range of opportunities for innovation in youth work. Even when we’re not able to physically meet with young people in groups or as individuals, the Internet enables us to connect in a range of ways.
Each of these methods can provide a great opportunity for youth work which otherwise might not happen, or even for an enhanced experience of what is possible. But all come with risks, which we need to understand and plan for.”
Young people who find it difficult to meet and talk in person can often feel much more comfortable communicating behind the ’safety’ of a screen. Connecting through a smartphone or computer opens up huge potential for a different kind of
Communicating with groups and holding virtual gatherings via online platforms as well as being a great opportunity to engage, also present a
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