Paul Phillips – District Youth and Community Worker, Essex Youth Service, has been supporting the NYA’s Routes to Community Success digital youth work strand as well as contributing to upcoming Digital Youth Work Standards, due to be launched by the NYA early next year. In this blog post, Paul describes the benefits digital youth work brings to the young people he works with.
For some, the term ‘digital youth work’ brings forth memories of makeshift Zoom calls during lockdown or raises concerns about whether online interactions can match the experiences in traditional ‘face-to-face’ youth work. But what if digital youth work could be a game-changer, offering today’s young people new ways to connect, grow, and thrive? At Essex Youth Service, we ventured into the world of digital youth work four years ago and we’ve been pleased to see the way it has enabled us to support young people who might otherwise not have felt able to engage with us.
Let me be clear: digital youth work isn’t a replacement for face-to-face sessions. Rather, it complements them. At Essex Youth Service we’ve embraced the potential provided by technology to tap into young people’s interests and meet them ‘where they are’ as the first step to meeting their needs. Take our Video Gaming Club which has brought together people working in the gaming industry, such as content creators and developers, with young people who want to have fun gaming with their peers, in an environment they feel comfortable in.
Taylor’s Story
One young person who has really flourished as a result of these sessions is Taylor*, a quiet and reserved young person, who first attended one of our face-to-face sessions but found it challenging to fully engage. After hearing about the Video Gaming Club, Taylor decided to join but kept their camera and microphone off, communicating only through the chat function.
Over time, Taylor grew more comfortable. They began using their microphone, and eventually shared their artwork on camera. The online space offered Taylor the freedom to express themselves without the pressure they experienced in in-person interactions. More recently, they took a leading role in the group’s video game design project. Taylor describes their experience of being a part of Video Gaming Club:
“I got into trouble with speaking ‘n’ talking sometimes, so it’s nice to have something in the comfort of me own home where I can actually focus on what I’m saying without getting too nervous.”
This was the same young person who had been quiet and reserved in face-to-face settings. But in the online world, Taylor found their confidence, and that confidence has slowly translated into their in-person interactions as well.
Because of the support Taylor has received, Taylor has felt like they can develop their confidence more easily in the online space which has translated into other areas of their life. This increased confidence has enabled Taylor to have their voice heard and to be heavily involved in the group’s creation of a video game which raises awareness of the importance of looking after our oceans.
What’s in your Toolbox?
Taylor’s story is just one example of how digital youth work provides complements youth work in traditional settings – adding another tool to the youth work toolbox.
As we continue to explore and refine how we do digital youth work, we’re discovering new ways to support young people in their personal and creative journeys. Since the Video Gaming Club, we are exploring the various ways virtual reality headsets can engage with young people – from offering unique activities to engage with, as well as skills development such as constructing car engines to interview skills.
We’re pleased to be involved with the NYA’s work to identify where digital youth work is taking place and the way it can enrich and support young people today. As every other industry harnesses the power of digital, youth work needs to exploit its potential to meet young people, safely and with effective youth work at its heart.
Here in Essex we haven’t looked back and I hope that other youth services and youth workers will consider putting digital youth work into their youth work toolboxes so that more young people, like Taylor, can benefit.
To find out more about how digital youth work can improve your offer join our upcoming online Youth Work Connect session: Digital Youth Work: Embracing a positive digital culture on 18 September at 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Reserve your place here.
*Real name has been changed to protect the identity of the young person.
