The Impact of Youth Storytelling in Technology

This blog is the fourth in a 5-part series that YouthxYouth has collaborated on with SecondMuse's program, Headstream, to support uplifting the wisdom from Co-creators within Headstream’s Youth Collective program, the Co-Creator Club.

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I. A space for everyone

Storytelling is a powerful tool used to liberate youth. Creating a place that fosters self-expression in this ever changing world is vital. The vast nature of the internet makes it easy to feel lost.  We often compare ourselves to each other. Young people have risen to fame, creating impact through digital storytelling, speaking their truth about causes such as climate change, mental health, Black Lives Matter, Asian Lives Matter, abortion rights, and many others. Digital storytelling amplifies the voices of marginalized identities to drive change. We are able to shift the negative narrative into something positive, even when the world can feel unchangeable.

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II. Light Years Ahead: The Power of Youth Storytelling

Young people create trends, seemingly out of nothing. We are innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates. We spark conversations and are real changemakers. Gaming has become one of the new and exciting things that are reaching new levels of popularity. Gaming goes beyond a realistic understanding in placing the viewer in a realistic outlook of our perception on certain life events, such as imagining what would happen in an apocalyptic world or exploring the true nature of humanity. Gaming has become a new and fun way of creating. Interactive gaming allows the player to become a part of the story. Designers of games like Fears to Fathom, place you in the protagonist role of what feels like a real, horrific event. Many gaming YouTubers help shine light on smaller game-creators and, even now, many young people are starting to take their unique part in creating.

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Virtual reality is a new trend that has seen a lot of success. VR takes you on a journey through a virtual world that everyone can experience. Social media is another way of expression for young people. Companies like Instagram & TikTok are some of the biggest platforms of today’s generation, TikTok being a major example of new age storytelling. Young people have always created hype. Skits and viral dances that everyday people can participate in have increased in popularity making social media relatable and accessible. Young people have influence the future of storytelling.

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III. Mission to Bridging Generational Gaps

Youth brings insights from a unique perspective into the role of storytelling in technology. Through storytelling, youth often feel first and then think second. How do we want the users of technology to feel? Through the youth lens, stories can allow us to embrace curiosity versus judgment, and move beyond products and features to true benefits. Storytelling can make content more impactful because it adds a layer of connection between the creator and consumer.

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Whether through books, movies, songs, or pop culture youth often have their finger on the pulse of what is occurring in society. Youth have the capacity to change the narrative from being dominated by the mind to incorporating the wisdom of the mind, heart, and gut. Technology can ultimately be in service to the segments they serve through storytelling. 

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Our brains are wired to empathize and connect through stories. Youth stories have the power to draw people in and connect emotionally.

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Youth storytelling can bridge generational divides in innovation to inspire us to take action versus “telling” us to take action. By understanding the wants, needs, and desires of their generation, youth stories can help develop technology that addresses these needs.

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IV. Exploring the Realm of Change and Progress

Youth stories have the power to capture attention, speak to society directly, and solve the needs of young people. There are many needs that youth stories can highlight, including the need for education, entertainment, value, status, or purpose. This perspective allows us to inspire creativity and innovation in technology.

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An article by Jessica Williams discusses the importance of “empower young voices to become agents of change”. A program called #PassTheMicYouth focuses directly on that by seeing the power in youth stories while shining a spotlight on amplifying youth voices. The “#PassTheMicYouth curriculum is a constant reminder that every voice, no matter how young, has the power to inspire and drive meaningful change”. Amplifying Youth Voices: Empowering Young People Through Storytelling | Agricultural and Human Sciences (ncsu.edu). Another article by Nina Ford “Stories in the Making” tells different stories of young people who faced trails all over the globe.  Rafael, Leni, and Andrew faced so many difficulties but overcame their struggles and found a safe space in storytelling. These three young people are using their voices to make an impact and tell their stories all over the world. Stories in the Making | Global Fund for Children

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V. Journey to Overcome Challenges

The digital world is such a huge spectrum. Young people are able to tell their truths and be a part of a community. Youth often have many challenges within race, gender, socioeconomic background, and geography. Half of young people don’t have access to new age technology and can’t take part in digital spaces. To overcome barriers and amplify youth voices, it is essential to listen with an open heart and mind, free of filters or judgment, and to actively check biases. Embracing curiosity by asking for young peoples’ input and perspective and giving them a seat at the table ensures that their voices are genuinely heard. Consultation and equality are key; recognizing the power of perspective means not viewing age or experience as the deciding factors, as neither is inherently better than the other. By focusing on co-creation and discovery, we can foster an environment where youth voices are not only heard but also integrated into meaningful action.

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VI.  To Infinity & Beyond

The future is unknown. Young people withhold a positive future in storytelling and driving innovation in technology. Young people are passionate and demand a change. Young people are risk takers and change makers, ready to make a difference. New age technology, like AR (Augmented reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), are redefining the boundaries of digital storytelling. This new tech is transforming the digital atmosphere, making it a place to create, design, and innovate. Storytelling is a performative and informative way of expression. Most times, other people's point of views are what we need to be able to experience and understand the impact of world issues, but it’s everyone's issue. Your neighbor, your best friend, and even a stranger on the street. Organizations and communities need to make it their mission to include youth voices in spaces. Working together on projects that impact their futures, learning to take youth criticism, and allowing youth a seat at the table to talk about their desires.

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VII. Over and Out 

Youth storytelling in technology is so crucial. Youth telling their stories, while constantly fighting for change, is needed in a world that often tells you that your voice isn't enough. Organizations and digital platforms are finally making a space to amplify youth voices. People are finally starting to notice just how impactful and important it is to have youth in these spaces. Young people are forever creating a change for the better by fighting for social equality and environmental causes. Young people are our future. They are here to spark up a revolution. Young people will not back down from what they believe in; they will forever be the voices of the voiceless. Even though young people will face challenges, young people keep striving to tell their truth, share their voice, and demand change for everyone. 

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Call - To - Action  - Call to action for embracing and fostering youth voices in innovation

• Amazing places to donate and learn more about youth storytelling Donations to Youth Leadership Fund - Give to NC State – My Gift (imodules.com)
• Stories in the Making | Global Fund for Children
• Podcast by Makayla Boney https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/makayla-boney - 1-800 Don’t Call Me Call Jesus (This podcast is where we talk about God, current popular topics, daily life, and growing and glowing. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out life all by yourself. This is a place where I come to connect with my community to talk about my current life of events and how I’m personally growing. Sometimes listening to other people’s life issues makes you feel better about yours, honestly. I preach a lot about God and his words so if you’re down to listen to a girl figuring out her life and what life has to offer you at the right place. 100% you’re guaranteed to love it.)
• Research is an important tool to truly understand and take part in the conversation. Let this be the start of your call-to-action to learn more and be a part of the movement.

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We, SecondMuse, provide a platform to amplify diverse voices, especially the youth in our programs. The views and content in this blog series are those of the individual authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of Headstream, SecondMuse, or YouthxYouth.