One chip at a time: using technology to enhance youth development.
Youth development programs have the potential to positively impact psychosocial growth and maturation in young adults. Several youth development programs are capitalizing on youths' natural gravitation toward technology as well. Research has shown that youth view technology and technologic literacy as positive and empowering, and that youth who master technology have increased self-esteem and better socioeconomic prospects than their counterparts. Technology-centered youth development programs offer a unique opportunity to engage youth, thereby extending their social networks, enhancing their access to information, building their self-esteem, and improving their self-efficacy. This article provides an overview of the intersection between youth development and technology and illustrates the ways technology can be used as a cutting-edge tool for youth development.
Cohall
Alwyn
A
Harlem Health Promotion Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 215 West 125th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10027, USA. atc1@columbia.edu
Nshom
Montsine
M
Nye
Andrea
A
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004645:Empathy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009519:New York City; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support