Youth Civic Development in an Era of Outrage: Implications for Civic Education

• In Event: 75.029 - Democratic Citizenship Education: Policies, Frameworks, and Multiple Platforms

Abstract

Outrage language and personal insults are common to online political discourse. This study examines the impact of exposure to such language on youth civic development. Using an experiment embedded in a nationally representative survey of youth aged 15-25, the study examined the impact of exposure to such language on youth political interest, internal political efficacy and avoidance of online political discussion and the role of adult supports for online dialogue. Implications for civic education in the digital age will be discussed.

Author

• Ellen Middaugh, San José State University