Fostering Civic Engagement by Building a Virtual City

Youth today are often criticized for their lack of civic participation and involvement in political life (Andolina, Jenkins, Faison & Flanagan, 2001; Grant Maker Forum on Community & National Service, 2000; Keeter, & Zukin, 2002; Michelsen, Zaff, & Hair, 2002). Technology has been blamed, among many other causes, for fostering social isolation and youth's retreat into a private world disconnected from their own communities (Kraut et al., 1998, 2002; Nie, 2001; Nie, Hillygus, & Erbring, 2002; Putnam, 2000). However, current research is beginning to indicate that both of the above statements represent inaccurate perceptions (Guest & Wierzbicki, 1999; Wellman, 2001; Wuthnow, 1991, 1998). On the one hand, today's youth are indeed engaged in civic life, albeit in ways very different from their parent's generation.
  [Moins]