Using Technology to Provide Support to Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts
Knowledge Synthesis Report 2013
Prepared By: Emily Zinck
Advisory Committee: Patrick McGrath, Judi Fairholm, Chris Mushquash, and Maria Luisa Contursi
“WE USE TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF MEETING YOUTH WHERE THEY ARE.”
Heather Miko-KellyYouth Projects and Volunteer Coordinator
mindyourmind
GUIDING QUESTION:Which innovations in technology are known to be effective in helping children and youth in the most challenging of contexts nurture resilience, prevent mental health problems and build a special place for themselves in the collective life of their communities?
Focus on Technology
Innovations in electronic media that have been used with children and youth in challenging contexts to help prevent violence and promote well-being.
Types of Technology
HardwareTelephoneComputersMobile Phones
– Smart Apps– SMS (Text
message)
SoftwareInternetTele-healthInteractive WebsitesSocial MediaVideo games
Population Groups• Children and youth affected by
war – Child soldiers– Children and youth in military
families• Refugee children and youth • Children and youth affected by
natural disasters• Immigrant children and youth• Children and youth subject to
maltreatment• Children and youth in alternative
care– Children and youth in institutions– Youth in juvenile detention
• Aboriginal children and youth• Homeless children and youth• Youth gangs• Child labourers
– Children and youth in the workplace
– Children and youth who have been trafficked
• Children and youth living with health-related challenges– Children and youth living with
chronic illness– Children and youth living with
mental illness
Pyramid of Evidence
RECOMMENDATIONS
#1- Embrace Technology.
Start by looking at what gaps could be addressed through the use of technology (e.g., access, support-needs)
– Strongest Families
#2- Foster Partnerships among Stakeholders.
Forming partnerships can help strengthen and inform your practice, allowing for more effective and relevant service delivery.
– Mobile Voice– SpunOut
#3- Engage Youth as Partners in Developing Programs.
Engage children and youth in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
– mindyourmind“What really makes the difference is not the technology itself but the engagement that happens in implementing and creating those platforms with youth.” Maria Luisa Contursi
CROSS-CUTTING THEMES
#4- Promote the Sustainability of Programs/Interventions.
Funders should support the sustainable development of a program or project that is already active and successful.
– Zumbido: SHM Foundation
#5- More Evidence is needed to Support the Use of Technology-Based Programs.
Develop easy to use evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of interventions using technology. These methods and strategies can be developed through partnerships between practitioners, academics, and policy makers.
– SPARX
#6- Ensure Technical & Professional Competence.
In developing a project or intervention, content development and technical design are two key items that need to be planned for by engaging with professionals and academics who can help inform an approach.
– One Laptop Per Child
#7- Acknowledge Diversity- Culture & Context- in Program Delivery.
Technology offers opportunities for programs and services to cross both cultural and geographic borders
– WelTel Kenya1– POI Mapping: Thailand
Thank You!!
