Combating social exclusion of young people with ICT applications

Abstract

Social exclusion of young people is a major socio-economic challenge all over Europe. This paper discusses the development and use of ICT applications to tackle the problem. The paper begins with a review to existing research on the possibilities of the ICT in social inclusion of young people. Secondly, as a way forward, a multidisciplinary approach is suggested, which would combine perspectives from social sciences, information systems, human-computer interaction, information technology and electronic commerce. The suggested approach combines technological and economic parameters of ICT development with social factors related to well-being, quality of life, gender, cultural and social conditions, and community values of young people. Particular emphasis is put into involvement of young people themselves in the development and innovation of ICT applications suggesting that a user-driven approach and participatory methodology are crucial in the successful development of ICT based applications for young people.