Building Voices: Teens Connect to Their Communities Through Youth Journalism Websites

Authors

  • Jeffrey C. Neely University of Tampa

Keywords:

youth media, scholastic journalism, community building, youth development

Abstract

This study uses a grounded theory approach to understand how online youth journalism programs can promote youth voice for building stronger communities. Specifically, this study draws on 24 in-depth interviews with youth and adults working at scholastic and nonscholastic youth journalism websites to derive themes connecting the importance of youth voice to community-building efforts. The results support and extend existing research to suggest that youth voice in these journalism programs can promote community building through informing and empowering local youth, promoting peer support among both participating and nonparticipating teens, and fostering constructive youth–adult partnerships.

Author Biography

Jeffrey C. Neely, University of Tampa

Jeffrey C. Neely teaches journalism in the English department at the University of Tampa. He holds a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Florida. Prior to his work as an academic, Jeffrey worked in various parts of Florida in children’s mental health and the foster care system. As a professional journalist, he covered issues and events in communities around the Tampa Bay area. These experiences serve as the foundation for much of his scholarly interests in youth journalism and the overarching intersections of adolescent development, community building, and media.

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Published

2015-06-30

Issue

Vol. 9 (2015)

Section

Articles

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