eParticipation to support the Information Society

1. eParticipation to support the Information Society • Internet deeply integrated into our lives • work, social, citizenship, family, leisure, news, shopping • Important to be involved in laws which effect it • Internet also a science/technology product • Need to be aware of technical side (possibly complex) • Internet and digital technology > changes our lives • old laws not suitable • cross-cutting issues • relevant legislation hard to track Ella Taylor-Smith, International Teledemocracy Centre,Edinburgh Napier University http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

2. Information and opinions • Citizens (and representatives) may feel strongly, but lack information • online rants • eParticipation to provide information • objective and accessible • persuade people to read and think before posting • Encourage discussion, deliberation, dialogue • Other people bring useful information and diverse opinions in http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

3. Technology: scale vs quality Make it as easy to use as possible • Quick to post, no need to consider • Many people involved > many off-topic or over-simple posts Or introduce information journey • People encouraged/forced to interact with information &/or each other before posting e.g. Read blog post, watch video -normal web 2 stuff • Fewer people involved > often higher quality > but dismissed as minority exercise http:// itc.napier.ac.uk

4. HUWY • Young people are valuable expert stakeholders on issues like: • Cyberbullying • Child abuse • ID theft, privacy and phishing • File-sharing • HUWY supports young people and youth groups to: • investigate these topics in their own way • publish their ideas in a way that is useful to policy-makers

5. Innovations • Deliberation in own spaces • Use existing groups and networks • Policy-makers involved as partners • Use of stories to engage

6. Stories • Story linked to themes • Themes have deeper levels of information • Including videos, legal positions, relevant organisations