The relevant areas that need to be taken into consideration are how the young generation of 16-24 year olds communicate, access information and interact as well as making decisions.
Literature Review
The main themes of this report are how young people communicate and use digital media, how they approach issues of trust and security online and how they seek advice online. Young people use a wide range of options to communicate such as instant message, chat, phone, SMS and face-to-face. They have been surrounded by digital media as they have grown up using computers, the internet, mobile phones and digital video games. Young people feel they are safe using the internet as long as they know what they are doing. They do their own research now and cross-check advice with other sources to see if the advice is correct. They believe they can see through posted information and are ‘aware people’s profiles can just be a front.’ The internet is seen as an advice source but is used after young people have consulted with a professional or friends or parents. They seek advice online through search, online forums and online help-sites.
Method
Objectives:
- To find out where young people seek advice from
- To find out how much digital media young people are surrounded by
- To find out whether young people feel comfortable and safe using the internet
- To find out the reason for using the internet for advice
- To find out whether young people can cope with new technology
The research was conducted from the ‘Young people’s needs in a digital age’ report.
Quantitative data is the analysis of numbers while qualitative data is the analysis of data in the form of words, pictures and objects. The use of a mixed method of data collection is important because it can show the facts as well as the opinions of the people. They both complement each other and can be used to analyse more about the subject. Quantitative data is fairly reliable while qualitative data is descriptive and is in more depth.
Results
- 82% of young people used the internet to look for advice and information for themselves – with 60% stating they had looked for information for someone else.
- 71% of young people said when looking for help and advice it is best to find out as many opinions as possible.
- 87% of young people likely to live in a household with digital television.
- 71% likely to have internet access.
- 95% likely to regularly use mobile phones.
- 61% likely to use MP3 players.
- 76% of young people felt the internet to be a safe place.
- 63% felt more comfortable doing things online than they did a year ago.
- 63% of young people said they felt part of new groups and communities thanks to the internet.
- 71% of young people cross-check any advice they receive online with advice from other sources.
- 43% of young people use the internet for advice because of anonymity.
- 36% found the internet as the most important single source for drugs.
- 85% of young people said they were confident using new technology.
- 90% often use a number of different technologies at the same time.
The results fitted the objectives and covered all of them.
Analysis
Young people have completely embraced digital media with most them having digital television in their households, having internet access and mobile phones and using MP3 players. They have become more confident and use digital media more often. They felt comfortable using new technology and different technologies at the same time. The increased use of new technology means it is easier for young people to use it regularly and use it more confidently.
Young people felt safe using the internet as long as they knew what they were doing. They felt confident using the internet but were cautious by cross-checking any advice they receive with other sources by doing their own research. In the case of social network sites, people regularly send messages to build-up interactions and responses. This increases confidence and trust which can result in people revealing as much information as possible to build and maintain social relations.
Young people looking for help and advice want to have as many opinions as possible so they know what their options are. The professional or expert is seen as the important one because they know most about the situation. Young people using the internet for advice because of anonymity felt they could say anything they want. They could delve into more personal issues so they can seek help. With issues such as drugs, the internet was seen as the single most important source. This is because many drug-related activities are illegal and the internet is anonymous. Online help-sites are becoming more consistent now.
Conclusion
Young people have embraced digital media and have connected the physical world with the internet or virtual world. They can build physical relationships as well as build friendships with people whom they have never met. With the internet, they feel part of new groups and communities with similar interests so they can communicate and build social relations. Social networking has increased more communication and interaction with the use of transferring photos and joining in debates online.
Stressful matters have different sources for information such as friends, professionals, parents and the internet. But issues like drugs, advice is found out from the internet because of anonymity. Young people want as many opinions as possible for help and advice so they can be sure to make the right decision.
Recommendations
An area for further study can be the report on ‘Digital Lifestyles - Young people 16-24, Ofcom, 2009.’
The need and demand for advice from the internet needs to be more critical so young people can work through problems or situations with the help of peer support and can also gain professional advice. When young people seek advice online, they should be able to participate more.
Reference List
Hulme, M. YouthNet’s Life Support: Young people's needs in a digital age.
