Center youth as partners, not participants, in co-design¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

This strategy treats youth as co-decision-makers rather than data sources when designing solutions for them. The report recommends that teams "Build on participating youth's specific expertise and strengths", "Trust youth to identify problems and solutions from their lived experience", make time and provide supports for youth to co-plan and co-facilitate, avoid overplanning, and "Share decision-making power, not just feedback opportunities." It was applied in Tech Talk by having youth advisors facilitate focus groups, vote on which solution to prototype, and lead the prototyping session.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Make time and provide supports for youth to co-plan and co-facilitate; avoid overplanning and provide open, comfortable space for youth to share ideas and honest critiques

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• youth ages 14-18 participating in co-design projects

Target Learning Goals¶

• youth leadership, facilitation skills, and ownership of solution design

Related Strategies¶

• Supportive practices for inclusive youth co-design: reach beyond usual voices, respect time, ensure accessibility, and compensate fairly
• Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)
• Student Voice In Curriculum Planning
• Address digital well-being with empathy, root-cause understanding, asset framing, and tech-free spaces

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Karim, S., Liberman, B., & Trettin, S. (2025). Tech Talk: Co-Designing Youth Digital Well-Being Solutions. Digital Promise. https://doi.org/10.51388/20.500.12265/264