Recommendations for youth workers: what to do and not to do online

ONLINE BEHAVIOUR

YOUTH WORK LAB: USING DIGITAL YOUTH WORK AND VIRTUAL REALITY IN DAILY WORK OF A YOUTH CENTER 2019-1-LT02-KA105-006250

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUTH WORKERS

DO'S - Promote opportunities for youngsters and encourage local and international interactions - Post information that can make youngsters grow- personally and professionally - Lead by example- share the work you do and the results you achieve.

- Share only truthful information (check the sources) - Exchange examples of good practices - Report posts that are considered dangerous - Disseminate results of youth work - Always ask for permission to post youngsters' pictures. Make sure people give their written consent so there's no room for misunderstandings

- Get involved with the Internet culture - Engage with young people by giving feedback in motivating ways - Tag people in pictures so they spread the information (asking for permission beforehand) - Use the tags so the projects and initiatives are visible - Keep the language casual and professional but also inclusive - Attractive content: good design and smart content - Make relevant content for up to date topics - Learn to respond to messages appropriately and quickly (max 24h) - Have FAQs prepared to be answered - Keep software and online tools updated - Publish regularly, be transparent about your work - Involve youngsters, share communication responsibilities - Pay attention to grammar (yes yes)

DONT'S - Using hate speech - Posting pictures or videos without reviewing the content - Making things more complicated than necessary - Spreading fake news - Acting unprofessional, lacking integrity - Infringing the privacy of youngsters you work with - Posting private things through the youth center's page - Promoting drugs, smoking, alcohol, unhealthy behaviour - Using youngsters for your own purposes - Promote discrimination and exclusion - Posting misleading information.

To take into consideration: - Give examples from own professional life - Control the time spent on the social media - Always keep in mind that your messages can be read. Everything that you write can be used against you or those you work with - There's a track of everything you do, even when you think you successfully deleted it - Keep in mind that making youngsters feel important will help them be motivated - Small giveaways from time to time will help keeping young people engaged - Youngsters often do not check the validity of your shared information - Be aware of fake projects and fake organisations - Be aware of your influence over youngsters - Consider social media habits of youngsters - Consider how you can motivate youngsters in social media.