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Each quarter, our peer reviewed journal publishes up to six research- and practice-based articles on Australian youth. Find out more about Youth Studies Australia.

June 2009 cover (tiny)

Online network use in schools: Social and educational opportunities

by Tanya Notley

Youth Studies Australia, v.27, n.3, pp.20-29.

Summary: Most state governments in Australia have banned popular online networking sites from public schools after these sites were accused of supporting a broad host of threats to young people. This paper questions the effectiveness of these bans in light of recent empirical research that highlights the social and educational benefits that can accrue from young people’s online network use. In doing so, this paper argues for a more informed policy debate that considers not only the risks involved in using online networks, but also the opportunities online networks afford and the capabilities young people require to use them effectively.

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