ABSTRACT
New forms of mass communication traditionally have had great appeal for younger people. Not only are the younger generation less likely to have established long-standing habits of media use, but they also are more willing to experiment with new technologies and formats. Younger citizens may claim new communications technologies as their own, developing particular expertise and novel applications. They view new technologies as a means of gaining advantage in the educational arena, in the workforce and in the political realm. Despite the conclusions of much research that young citizens fail to engage in traditional forms of participation, there are indications that the Internet may be facilitating, if not invigorating, youth civic engagement.
