Inclusion is a key process for sustaining, developing, and building democratic societies. Crossing multiple social dimensions, inclusion can help to ensure more equal opportunities for participation and access to markets, services, and spaces. At its core, inclusion is about “improving the terms for individuals and groups to take part in society” (World Bank, 2013). Inclusion matters because it allows us to recognize diverse groups and identities (e.g. ethnicity, race, gender, religion, national origin, location, age, educational attainment, and/or socioeconomic status), and understand that not all individuals and groups have equal access to opportunities and/or avenues of participation. …

With millions of youths around the world playing it on networked computers and videogame consoles, and a vast repository of knowledge spreading on the Internet across videos, wikis, and blogs, Minecraft has become one of the most popular indie games of our time. The diverse mechanics, rich interactions, and sandbox quality of this open ended videogame have captivated youth imagination and passion for building, exploring, and learning. …

Online platforms and virtual worlds have become important spaces for youth development, socialization, and learning. Children and youth are growing up in a networked communication environment in which they are leveraging digital tools for expressing their creativity, seeking information, and building relationships. They are participating in “networked publics” of different sizes and themes, where they communicate with peers and mentors, share content they create, and engage in communal activities such as playing games and exchanging information about specific topics (Ito et al. 2011; Kafai & Fields 2013; boyd 2014; Jenkins, Ito and boyd 2015).

Although engaging in online platforms and…

DIY.org is an online platform where youth (ages 6–16) can learn, discover, and share a wide range of skills. From baking to computer programming to astronomy and athletics, on DIY.org, youth can deeply explore of their personal interests and hobbies. The platform provides a digital space where young people can engage in multiple project-based activities, complete learning challenges, and interact with peers by commenting and liking the projects they share.

Combining features of social media platforms — such user profiles, followers, favorites, and hashtags — with the mechanics of online learning sites,such as challenges, badges, pathways, and portfolios, DIY.org provides…

An inspiring series of workshops, panels, installations, round-tables, concerts, and other creative and intellectual exchanges took place at Manizales, Colombia, one week ago, from June 11 to 18. The International Symposium on Electronic Arts (ISEA) and the International Image Festival joined forces to convene an interdisciplinary group of designers, scientists, artists, and humanists from different disciplines and nationalities. Addressing the themes of bio-creation and peace, participants reflected on the contributions that art, design, and technology can provide to social development, pacific coexistence of the communities, and the creation of life.

From installations that allowed the audience to sonify and visualize…

Since its 1970s Bronx origins, hip-hop culture has been driven by youth and the appropriation of technologies and cultural materials for creative expression. Leveraging media technologies, minority youth living in post-industrial New York City developed a range of innovations in fashion, music, dance, and writing. From the creation of new rhythms by playing vinyl records on turntables to the urban circulation of graffiti writing on the surfaces of trains, youth have been empowered by hip-hop to raise their voice, express their ideas through unique styles, and use technology in unexpected ways.

Although terms such as looping, remixing, and sequencing are…

This is a new medium blog.