In the framework of the project “Kosovo Youth Participation project – KYP”, which is carried out by CARE Deutschland e.V. with the partner organization SHL-Kosova, in close cooperation with the representatives of the National Youth Congress of Kosovo, a debate will be organized on the topic: Social Media – Are they helping or harming democracy?
Topic: Social Media – Are they helping or harming democracy?
Location: Kino Lumbardhi, Prizren
Date/time: 25.04.2023/11:00 – 14:00
About the KYP project:
The overall objective of the KYP Project is to support young people with less opportunities, especially young women, from rural areas and small towns of Kosovo, in order to create additional perspectives for increasing their social and economic participation. The specific objectives of the project are: to increase democratic participation, civic engagement and social inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities, marginalized and/or differently abled, especially women. The project focuses on three main components:
- Increasing the participation of disadvantaged young people in decision-making, in local communities and at the central level.
- Increasing the engagement and employment of disadvantaged young people, especially young women, through skills development and involvement in voluntary initiatives.
- Encouraging democratic dialogue among Kosovar youth, through raising awareness and promoting gender equality, solidarity, intercultural relations and against stereotypes and misinformation.
Participants:
Through an open discussion, we will gather a wide range of key actors who are connected with social dynamics that directly affect the well-being and inclusion of young people in political, social and economic life in Kosovo. Through the discussion with different professional panellists from the local, central level, the culture, youth, sports sector and civil society representatives who work with young people, we will address the issue in question, focusing on the main causes of this phenomenon, as well as we will propose recommendations for improving the situation.
In order to further discuss democratic topics among young people, the KYP project is collaborating with the Debate Centre with youth organizations in Kosovo as well as partner NGOs, so that together with the participating young people to create and address messages that are important for them in the responsible institutions.
The use of social media today is considered one of the most common activities of young people. Any online site that allows posting on various social topics is considered social media. Such media provide young people with entertainment and fast communication, but often with false information or unconfirmed information. Engaging in various forms of social media is a routine activity that benefits young people, social connections and even increasing their skills. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, provide numerous daily opportunities for connecting with friends, classmates, and people with common interests.
Over the past 5 years, the number of pre-teens and teenagers using such sites has increased dramatically. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, 22% of teens visit their favourite social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of teens visit a social media site more than once a day. Much of this generation’s social and emotional development takes place on the Internet and on cell phones. Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, young people may find themselves at risk when navigating and experimenting with social media.