The idea evolved and in June 2006 MediaSnackers was launched. It was and still is, a simple digital window (weblog) on/into this new-media and digitalised youth generation. Mainstream media paints a very scary and negative view around young people's online activities and technology ownership, I wanted MediaSnackers to highlight and add a positive flavour to this discourse. One of my mantras is 'show, don't tell', so here is the 90sec short which explains what we mean by MediaSnackers:

There is growing vacuum and disconnect between young people, who are digital natives, creating, producing and participating in online conversations, and the adults, who are digital immigrants, many of whom still view young people as passive consumers of the media. However, there is a huge amount of inspiring individuals, organisations and projects focussed and operating in this space which is why I started the MediaSnackers podcasts. They provide a focus and an opportunity to highlight some great youth media projects, professionals and discussions taking place across the globe.

At the beginning of the year, the MediaSnackers vodcasts was also launched—fifteen minutes worth of youth media goodness every month available to view online or download as a video take-away to digest. It features updates from us but more importantly half of the content is created by young people themselves and also highlights other youth media organisations and initiatives.

Why? Simpy because we can. The technology is there along with the free platforms to host it all. In terms of aggregating content, the internet can be a friendly place and if you offer and ask you usually get.

Thats our menu of online activities but to pay the rent we have developed and now deliver new media and technology training to young people, youth professionals and corporates. A service not strategised but born out of a request…

Shortly after launching MediaSnackers I was approached by a youth volunteering charity to develop and deliver some training on weblogging and podcasting to their youth board. This was quickly followed by a similar request from another youth organisation to train their staff. As you can see from our training page we have a healthy and growing list of clients who have dined on our courses.

The need for our training is due to the vast and constant changes in the fracturing media landscape coupled with the prevalence of how young people are using converging technologies and online platforms. Programme developers, youth-focussed organisations and policy creators are realising they are playing catch-up and need a little help to guide them through.

In March, MediaSnackers participated in the 5th World Summit on Media for Children in Johannesburg, South Africa. We delivered training to a group of youth delegates (from all over Africa) and turned them into digital journalists to blog and vodcast the conference all from their perspective. Again, to show rather than tell, here's our vodcast which tells the story:

(You can also see the photos from the event on the MediaSnackers flickr site and check out the digital journalists blog here)

The whole experience was enriching. Made even more incredible by the fact only two of the youth participants had ever held a video camera before and not one of them had ever blogged. However, in a few hours we gave them the skills and confidence to produce some great digital content for others all over the world to read and watch. A simple model which can be applied in any organisation.

On June 1st 2007 MediaSnackers had its first birthday and we can look back at our modest achievements: a growing profile with over 2,400 subscribers to our monthly email digest (sign up here), 40,000+ unique visitors a month, nearly a hundred podcast interviews and several vodcast episodes completed—we've done well. We're also currently planning our first MediaSnackers conference, to bring those (all too often) separate discussions (the impact of young people on shaping the media AND the impact of media on shaping young people) under one roof over two days in October 2007. The MediaSnackers conference will offer a place to connect, promote learning, enable understanding, and offer experiences through inspiring interative sessions.

We're also looking to grow the 'family' (MediaSnackers also has a few young people contributing posts to the weblog, something we're looking to develop and widen) and recently posted a job video asking people to get involved in planned areas of development:

Bold plans but bold is good (and scary). What I have personally learned is dreaming is great but doing is better. Fantastic even. I have found motivation in a little achievement and for the first time in my life I don't work for a living—I do something I love. I have also been purposely wide in the MediaSnackers strategy because I wanted to allow room to move, breathe, grow. From my project design and delivery experience I have learned that fluidity is a great attribute most people dismiss in favour of rigid frameworks. Sure, have aims and a vision but be open to other paths which take you there. Be organic.

I invite you to visit mediasnackers.com and go for a little a digital walk—there's lots of read, listen and watch. Subscribe to our blog or pod/vodcasts to keep up to date with examples of good practice and developments. If you are involved in any youth media or technology projects get in touch. Happy to explore featuring your work on our weblog, in a podcast interview or even in one of our monthly vodcasts.

Originally written to appear on YMReporter but didn't adhere to their editorial policy—shame.