'Civic Laboratories': How online spaces are reshaping civic engagement among Gen Z

Even before they are old enough to vote, some young people are finding ways to make a difference. Civic engagement among youth ages 15 to 25 can range from volunteering in the community and joining a protest march to signing a petition or expressing political views on social media, according to Portland State University researcher Yue Ni.

Ni, an assistant professor of applied developmental psychology, approaches youth civic participation from a developmental, strengths-based perspective.

"I recognize young people as active contributors to society who may contribute in their own creative ways," Ni said. "In developmental science, we also see civic engagement as an important experience that supports young people's own growth and well-being."

Ni's research examines how digital spaces are changing the ways young people participate in their communities and society — and how it's impacting their personal well being. Two of her recent studies, published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology and Research in Human Development, explore these dynamics.

We caught up with Ni to discuss the opportunities and challenges of online civic engagement and what she wishes adults understood about the next generation.

What does civic engagement actually look like for young people today, and how has that shifted over the past decade?

Over the past decade, digital spaces have become an increasingly important part of young people's civic lives. Online and offline engagement are also becoming more interconnected. In our interviews, young people described starting their own organizations online, using social media to raise awareness and mobilizing others to participate in in-person activities.

The important shift is not just how much young people participate, but how they participate. They now have more ways to contribute on their own terms. My research also shows that young people from different backgrounds participate in different ways. If we focus only on traditional activities, we risk overlooking meaningful contributions and mistaking changes in how young people participate for a decline in civic engagement.

How are digital spaces helping broaden who gets to participate and how they express themselves?

I think digital platforms are changing not only where and how young people participate, but also who gets to participate and who they can reach. Young people who feel uncomfortable discussing social or political issues in offline settings, for example, may find online spaces where they can express their views, learn from different perspectives, and challenge dominant narratives. Researchers have called these spaces “civic laboratories,” where young people can see how others express their civic opinions and practice their own authentic civic voice. They can also express themselves through diverse formats, such as videos, photography and artwork.

Importantly, digital platforms also let young people reach audiences far beyond their immediate communities, which can amplify the impact of their work across geographic boundaries and may even put their voices in front of policymakers. That reach can also expand young people’s sense of community and who they consider part of "we."

There's a common belief that the internet acts as a "great equalizer" for civic participation. What drawbacks or disparities are you seeing remain — or even widen — in digital spaces?

Although digital platforms can lower some barriers to civic participation, they don't necessarily eliminate existing inequalities. In my recent study, young people from more economically advantaged backgrounds reported greater civic engagement both online and offline. My study didn't directly examine why these disparities persist, but factors such as internet access, digital skills, and simply having the time to create and post may play a role.

In our interviews, some participants noted that building an audience online can require considerable time and money. Others described how content creators from racially minoritized groups may face more hateful comments than their white counterparts, which illustrates how racial inequalities can be reproduced online. But it isn’t a simple story of disadvantage: Foreign-born youth reported more online civic engagement and more participation in several offline civic activities, which challenges some traditional assumptions.

The takeaway is that access to platforms alone doesn’t guarantee equal opportunity; the resources, skills and social environments around young people matter too.

With election season in full swing, how are young people using social media to get the attention of politicians and shape campaigns, and do they feel like politicians are actually listening?

Social media gives young people new ways to make their voices heard by politicians. By sharing personal stories, creating videos about social issues and mobilizing others around shared concerns, young people can bring attention to issues they care about and potentially influence political conversations. Political campaigns have also increasingly recognized the influence of young people and social media creators in reaching younger voters.

But getting politicians' attention doesn't necessarily mean influencing their decisions. Young people in our interviews suggested that social media videos that reach millions of people might prompt lawmakers to consider what young people want. But they were also skeptical that a TikTok could change the minds of politicians who already hold strong positions on an issue. This tension also shows up in broader research: Although social media has become an important source of political information and civic education for young people, many still question whether online civic expression, especially anonymous ones, can lead to meaningful change.

Digital activity is often reduced to a "good vs. bad" debate. What have your recent studies revealed about the relationship between online civic engagement and patterns like anxiety, self-esteem or depression?

Our findings suggest that the relationship between online civic engagement and mental health is more complex than simply good or bad. In a recent study of 400 adolescents and young adults in the U.S., we looked at young people’s online civic actions and skills together with their broader civic development and critical online literacy, because we believe those two qualities really matter for mental health.

In general, we found that those with a stronger overall civic foundation and critical online literacy generally reported better mental health, including higher self-esteem and fewer symptoms of depression and social anxiety. However, among those with similarly strong civic foundations and digital skills, youth who participated more selectively online reported fewer symptoms of depression and social anxiety and higher self-esteem than those who were highly active online. Because this was a one-time survey, we can’t say online civic engagement leads to distress, but this suggests that while online civic engagement can offer opportunities for empowerment, putting heavy effort into these activities can carry a cost.

You helped develop the Multidimensional Online Civic Engagement Scale for Youth (MOCE-Y), which was recently highlighted by the Bezos Family Foundation. What makes this tool unique, and how does it change how we study adolescent behavior?

One challenge in studying online civic engagement is that existing measures often fail to capture the unique ways young people participate in digital spaces. To address this, we involved young people directly in developing MOCE-Y. We first interviewed them about their experiences and then gathered feedback from them on our draft questions.

What makes this tool unique is that it measures not only what young people do online, such as sharing information or creating content about social issues, but also the skills they bring to these activities, like communicating with others and critically evaluating online information. This allows researchers to move beyond simply counting online activities and better understand how different aspects of civic engagement relate to young people's development and well-being.

For parents, educators and community leaders trying to navigate this landscape, what is one big takeaway from your work that you wish more adults understood?

I hope more adults recognize that young people are not just passive consumers of digital media. They are active contributors who want to express themselves and make a difference in their communities. Protecting young people from online risks is important and necessary, but we also need to recognize their growing need for autonomy and opportunities to contribute. Rather than focusing only on restrictions, we should listen to young people's experiences, understand what they need, help them develop the skills to navigate digital spaces safely and meaningfully and create opportunities for them to thrive.