Digital Transformation in the Youth Field

Meaningful participation should be central to European efforts to co-create and sustain digital transformative processes in an inclusive, informed and democratic way. Whenever possible, digital transformation efforts should be approached as a multi- stakeholder and inclusive process – encompassing the co-design, implementation and utilisation of people-centred digital technologies with and by young people, youth workers, educators (formal and non-formal), youth workers and other relevant stakeholders. Meaningful and informed participation should be seen as an essential mechanism to ensure that the youth sector’s needs are reflected in all topics concerning digital transformation (e.g., digitalisation of youth work services, online safety, AI-driven innovation). Meaningful and informed participation should also take place at all stages and in all areas of digital transformation.

In order to respond to the challenges (e.g., disinformation, data profiling) and opportunities (e.g., innovative digital education solutions) related to digital transformation, stakeholders might require skills such as critical digital literacy, media literacy, data and AI literacy, and many more. All stakeholders should be supported in obtaining and developing their digital skills and competencies. Digital transformation also requires an agile mindset, whereby education is not seen as set in stone, but rather as a responsive and adaptable process of life-long learning. Digital transformation processes have a detrimental impact on the rapidly evolving civic, environmental and socio-economic (e.g., new forms of employment) landscapes. The European youth non-formal education settings need to be systematically supported to empower all young people (and all stakeholders) to become confident, conscious and informed citizens, employees and consumers. To this end, youth workers and youth leaders should be supported and motivated in building their capacity and competencies related to digital transformation.

Reliable internet access and efficient digital infrastructure are crucial in the European youth sector. In order to address any digital inequalities in Europe, all stakeholders should be provided with affordable access to digital devices and access to the internet. Any youth-focused digital transformation efforts should aim to address the needs of some of the socially, economically and digitally excluded youth. To operate within and respond to digital transformation, the European youth field requires an appropriate digital infrastructure that would enable the implementation of the evolving technologies and technological processes (e.g., next-generation technologies such as 5G).

Digital transformation is an evolutionary process that requires a strategic and collaborative approach. Any efforts that aim to define the EU’s youth field digital transformation strategy should be built upon the EU Youth Strategy and the European Youth Goals. Any strategic efforts should therefore strive to engage, empower and connect young people (as well as all relevant stakeholders) so they can participate in the development of any digital transformation policies.

Digital transformation offers opportunities to co-create innovative solutions in the European youth sector. In many parts of Europe, digital technologies have already provided opportunities to create innovative non-formal youth projects, reinvigorate youth participation and facilitate intercultural exchange. Digital technologies should be considered when co-creating and deploying solutions for youth-related and societal challenges. It is important to acknowledge that digital transformation might bring about additional changes in the future in how the European youth field operates. These changes might relate to the practical implementation of youth work practice (e.g., using online communication tools, going paperless); the organisational structures and hierarchies; and the understanding of the youth field and youth work itself. Therefore, all stakeholders should be provided with support in understanding and exploring forms of innovation linked to digital transformation.

Any digital transformational process should be assessed on its potential environmental impact. The EU’s youth sector should aim to consider how/if digital transformational processes and projects might affect the climate crisis. Sustainability in digital transformation should also be seen as an approach that aims to create responsive, sustainable and long-lasting digital solutions.

The ethical considerations of the digital transformation process should be examined (and continually assessed) at all levels of digital transformation (e.g., Europe wide, local projects). Any European wide digital transformation processes should be grounded in human rights and European values. Young people and youth workers/leaders (along with other relevant stakeholders) should be able to exercise their digital citizenship without surveillance, data profiling and algorithmic manipulation. To achieve this, there should be ongoing dialogue between the stakeholders, European bodies and the private sector to ensure that all technological changes are youth-centred/people-centred and do not entail any risks to young people’s human rights to participation, privacy and self-determination.

Young people are among the first generation raised in the digital age. Most (if not all) aspects of their well-being are affected by digital transformation. So far, it is difficult to predict how digital technologies will impact the well-being of young people in the long term. That is why it is important to continue to analyse and respond to any arising challenges and opportunities related to digital well-being.