eParticipation to support the Information SocietyInternet deeply integrated into our lives

• work, social, citizenship, family, leisure, news, shopping Important to be involved in laws which effect it

Internet also a science/technology product Need to be aware of technical side (possibly complex)

Internet and digital technology > changes our lives• old laws not suitable • cross-cutting issues

relevant legislation hard to track

Ella Taylor-Smith, International Teledemocracy Centre,Edinburgh Napier University

http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

Information and opinions• Citizens (and representatives) may feel strongly, but lack

information online rants

• eParticipation to provide information objective and accessible persuade people to read and think before posting

• Encourage discussion, deliberation, dialogue Other people bring useful information and diverse opinions

in

http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

Technology: scale vs qualityMake it as easy to use as possible Quick to post, no need to consider Many people involved > many off-topic or over-simple posts

Or introduce information journey People encouraged/forced to interact with information &/or each other

before posting

e.g. Read blog post, watch video -normal web 2 stuff Fewer people involved > often higher quality > but dismissed as

minority exercise

http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

http://www.huwy.eu

Hub Websites for Youth Participation

HUWY

Young people are valuable expert stakeholders on issues like:• Cyberbullying• Child abuse• ID theft, privacy and phishing• File-sharing

HUWY supports young people and youth groups to:• investigate these topics in their own way • publish their ideas in a way that is useful to policy-makers

http://www.huwy.eu

Hub Websites for Youth Participation

Innovationso Deliberation in own

spaceso Use existing groups

and networkso Policy-makers

involved as partnerso Use of stories to

engage

http://www.huwy.eu

Hub Websites for Youth Participation

Storieso Story linked to

themeso Themes have

deeper levels of information

o Including videos, legal positions, relevant organisations