2022-05-17-UNDP-Resources_for,_and_Needs_of_Vulnerable_and_Marginalized_Young_People_on_Digital_Literacy,_Safety_and_Participation_56页_3mb

Summary of "Mapping and Review of Resources for, and Needs of Vulnerable and Marginalized Young People in the Asia-Pacific Region on Digital Literacy, Safety and Participation"

Core Content

This report, published in 2022 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNESCO, presents a mapping and review of online resources and the perceived needs of vulnerable and marginalized young people, specifically Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) youth and Young Key Populations (YKP) in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on digital literacy, safety, and participation.

The report is based on two main stages of research: a desk review of key resources and a qualitative mapping exercise involving interviews and focus groups with LGBTI youth and YKP stakeholders.

Main Findings

Desk Review Findings

• Age Range Focus: Resources predominantly target younger children and teenagers, with fewer resources available for older youth (e.g., 18-24 years).
• Skill Development Over Awareness: Most resources emphasize skills development to navigate online risks, with less attention given to raising awareness of young people's rights and opportunities for inclusion.
• Parent and Educator Focus: 14% of resources are aimed at parents and educators rather than at young people themselves.
• Assumed Technical Literacy: There is an assumption that young people have a certain level of technical literacy, access to digital devices, and stable internet connections.
• LGBTI and YKP Representation: There is a lack of consistent inclusion and representation of LGBTI and YKP perspectives in digital citizenship resources.
• Risk Framing: A dominant risk-framing in resources limits the presentation of sex-positive approaches and overlooks the needs of LGBTI and YKP for digital literacy and participation.
• Legal and Social Context: Discriminatory laws and social stigma continue to affect access to relevant and inclusive resources for LGBTI young people and YKP, especially in areas such as health, digital literacy, and safety.

Qualitative Mapping Findings

• Resource Gaps: There is a significant lack of digital citizenship resources that specifically address the needs and experiences of LGBTI young people and YKP.
• Regional Challenges: Providing region-wide resources is difficult due to diverse cultural, regional, and national contexts.
• Access Issues: LGBTI young people and YKP face challenges in accessing digital media and resources, including limited device access, data, and language barriers.
• Key Areas of Need: Informants emphasized the need for resources on data privacy and security, bullying and harassment, and misinformation.
• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic exacerbated mental health issues for LGBTI youth and YKP, particularly due to increased exposure to cyberbullying, hate speech, and doxing.
• Social Media Importance: Social media is a critical platform for information, support, and community building for these groups, despite its risks.
• Youth-Led Networks: Existing youth-led networks provide support through digital activism and community work, highlighting the potential for community-based resource development.

Key Recommendations

Content of Online Resources

• Involve LGBTI young people and YKP in the design and dissemination of digital resources.
• Develop targeted resources on digital security, cyberbullying, and misinformation.
• Use local languages and avoid technical jargon to increase accessibility.
• Ensure resources are accessible via mobile devices for varying internet connections.
• Promote youth empowerment models rather than focusing solely on risks.
• Incorporate mental health aspects and strategies for navigating negative content.

Community Organizations

• Provide digital skills workshops to community leaders to enhance their ability to moderate online safety and filter misinformation.

International Organizations

• Partner with local activist groups to develop sustainable and widely used digital resources.
• Provide seed funding and business models to support local activists in creating and maintaining resources for their communities.

Non-Traditional Approaches

• Use social media to deliver digital safety messages, as it is more visible and shareable than website-based content.
• Collaborate with content creators and influencers to generate relevant and engaging material.
• Work with local news outlets to disseminate trustworthy information on LGBTI and YKP issues.

Future Research

• Identify sustainable online business models for digital resources.
• Explore specific needs and capabilities of LGBTI youth and YKP to support their advocacy.
• Examine the relationship between LGBTI youth and YKP with digital spaces and their mental health impacts.
• Map digital cultures and practices of these groups in each country's context.

Conclusion

The report highlights the urgent need for inclusive and accessible digital citizenship resources tailored to the specific needs of LGBTI young people and YKP in the Asia-Pacific region. It underscores the importance of addressing both the risks and opportunities associated with digital environments, and calls for a more rights-based and empowering approach to digital education and policy development.