Youth volunteering: representation in social media

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study that reveals the features of youth volunteering through representation in social networks. Within the framework of the ecosystem approach, new practices of interaction between volunteer associations are considered, problem areas and promising areas for the development of volunteerism are identified. Data collection was implemented based on a combination of methods: content analysis of thematic posts in the communities of volunteer associations in the VKontakte social network and a semi-formalized interview with volunteers (10 informants). The study has found that the representation in social networks fragmentarily reflects the practical activities of volunteers, there is a lack of information about current opportunities for volunteers, a predominantly regional agenda is presented, there is no data on current national and international projects, instead of announcements of upcoming events, a review of past events dominates. At the same time, the representation of volunteering provides the following social functions: information on the areas of activity, involvement of new participants, and highlighting past events. The ecosystem approach to the analysis of modern volunteer practices has shown resource opportunities and identified the problem areas related to representation, awareness, choice of direction of activity, attraction of resources, and organization of partnership programs. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are proposed for the development of volunteering practices among the youth, increasing the social activity of young people.