Building a ‘youth operating system’: Security, safety, inclusivity, and digital platform possibilities for youth-centred social innovation

The research proposed here will explore core issues, risks, and limitations to direct the design and development of a ‘youth
operating system’ (YOS) centred on providing a safe, secure, privacy-preserving, and inclusive multi-featured online
environment for youth. Any project that engages youth requires substantive policies, terms and conditions, and platform
functionality that ensure its Users can interact, communicate, innovate, and organize within a closed system—a system that
is set up specifically as a platform for youth to offer a private and safe space to promote and encourage youth-driven creative
and innovative social opportunities. The research will provide an evidence-based foundation from which Youth Ottawa can
design and deliver a social platform to generate online community-building, civic engagement, social innovation, and intragroup
resilience that is secure, ethical, accessible, and equitable for youth.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sandra Robinson

Student:

Partner:

Youth Ottawa

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Carleton University

Program: