By Shakuntala Banaji and David Buckingham
There has been widespread concern in contemporary Western societies about declining engagement in civic life; apparently people are less inclined to vote, to join political parties, to campaign for social causes, or to trust political processes. Young people in particular are frequently described as alienated or apathetic. Some have looked optimistically to new media—and particularly social media and the Internet—as a means of revitalizing civic life and democracy. Governments, political parties, charities, NGOs, activists, religious and ethnic groups, and grassroots organizations have created a range of youth-oriented websites that encourage widely divergent forms of civic engagement and use varying degrees of interactivity. But are young people really apathetic and lacking in motivation? Does the Internet have the power to re-engage those disenchanted with politics and civic life?

Based on a major research project funded by the European Commission, this book attempts to understand the role of the Internet in promoting young people’s participation. Examples are drawn from Hungary, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom—countries offering contrasting political systems, media frameworks and cultural contexts. The book also addresses broader questions about the meaning of civic engagement, the nature of new forms of participation, and their implications for the future of civic life.

About the Authors

Shakuntala Banaji lectures in the Department of Media and Communication and is Director of the Master’s Programme in Media, Communication, and Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

David Buckingham is Professor of Media and Communications at Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. He is the author of The Material Child: Growing Up in Consumer Culture and other books.