Why Youth Engagement On Social Media Will Shape How We Care For Young People.

Adam M. Mokhtar - This is my first ever article, do let me know your thoughts and enjoy reading!

Youth Engagement Online is the Breakthrough.

I remember when I did a youth leadership program called “Young leaders,” I spoke to the Mayor and told him that Young people (12-25) spent roughly 23 hours a week on social media. - According to the Dandenong resilience survey.

Astonishing. In fact, most would say that is horrible for young people.

3 years forward, I’ve been asking myself:

Is it really that bad?

Social media is the future. We all know it, and we can’t stop it.

It’s how young people connect and engage with others, it’s how they find answers and it’s how their lives are shaped.

Instead, I’ve been pondering: What if we could be part of that connection and promote positivity instead?

Because not everything online has to be “bad.”

I tested this idea with a couple friends of mine and decided to open an Instagram where we engaged with young people online and promoted positivity posts to our local community. (@official.unco)

I was extremely pleased to see positive reactions from the community. We found those who started publicly sharing how they had taken care of themselves, we found those who supported to be part of the movement and those who saw the importance of young people connecting online with us.

The best part -  we even turned local followers into genuine real life connections!

But I think we can take this one step further. 

What if youth services organisations (who’s aim to systematically support young people) - joins the online youth engagement breakthrough?

I can only imagine the value both young people and local organisations would receive from each other.

Lucky for you, young people have given answers on how you can engage with them online right now.

It’s as simple as:

• Creating a post that gives young people answers to their burning questions.
• Perhaps a video on how they can access local support within the region.
• You can educate young people on important topics and causes. 

“If you don’t post content, you basically don't exist.” - Gary Vee

Becoming part of online youth engagement is the answer I’ve come to for 2021.

Now, here is why I strongly believe being more present and engaging online, would help youth services beyond real life engagement.

1. You get to reach more young people online compared to offline!

Social media, including Instagram, have tools to target specific age, location, demographics.

These are tools real life CANNOT do. Having access to young people in your area would be advantageous and beneficial for your youth service to create a first touch point with young people.

Most young people search online for support FIRST and through social media is how you can be easily found.

2. Having reach to young people means you get a connection that you can develop at any time and anywhere.

Young people don’t need to be in the same room as you and you can still raise awareness about topic X or educate about subject Y.

In fact, Young people on social media love to share information. Imagine the content you made get’s shared by young people amongst their own friends and family! It would create a ripple effect faster than word-of-mouth can!

3. Lastly, engaging online means Young People know who to go to for support.

Being present online can show who young people should trust for support and information. The best part? Through online youth engagement, you can create trust, even with young people who have never used your services before!

You get young people through your doors because they feel affirmed and comfortable with your organisation.

Youth engagement can be done online and it should.

It's the breakthrough I have found. Social media is a connecting and engaging tool. It’s what young people are saying.

BUT know that online youth engagement is an art that needs to be mastered if you want results.

Posting random posts with no purposeful intent or just promoting your events with no other value given gives no incentive for young people to listen to you.

If you want me to help support your youth organisation with online youth engagement, I am just a DM away.

Or email me at adam.unco@gmail.com or my phone at 0423740334.