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Abstract

This article explores how youth in India understand, get involved in and actively use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in civic engagement. Despite a variety of opportunities for civic engagement, young people in India today show little interest in politics. Many cite a perceived inability to effect changes in India’s corrupt political system as the reason for their apathy. Indian youth do, however, engage in other forms of civic engagement. Helping the needy outside of work and college is a common form of community work for young Indians. Others engage with their communities through paid work at non-governmental organizations (NGOs). ICTs are used in the everyday lives of Indian youth for personal purposes like entertainment and social networking, but relatively little for activism. Of all ICTs in India, mobile phones are arguably the most important, with laptops a key ICT at NGOs.

Keywords

Civic engagement community work ICTs India political disinterest

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Community work and limited online activism among India youth

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