The document discusses how new media has become an important part of teenagers' lives and how organizations in Flanders have responded. It introduces the Apestaartjaren conference established in 2006 by Jeugdwerknet vzw and Graffiti Youth Service to inform youth workers about how teenagers use new media. The conference and accompanying website www.apestaartjaren.be provide information and resources for youth workers. Research is also conducted every two years surveying over 1000 Flemish youth about their new media use.

1. Youngsters Twitter
Social Networks
New Media Facebook Youth Work
Jeugdwerknet MediaPedia Graffiti Jeugddienst
Netlog Research Media Literacy Online
conferences YouTube Children Training

2. APESTAARTJAREN
Blogs, Social network sites, podcasts, massive
multiplayer online games… New Media has
become indispensable in a teenager’s life.
So, can we describe puberty more and more as
“the @‐years” nowadays?
As this (r)evolution would also have serious con‐
sequences for youthworkers, Flemish youth work
organizations Jeugdwerknet vzw and Graffiti
Youth Service joined together in 2006 to set up a
conference to inform other youthworkers on
how youngsters deal with new media. This very
first event was called “Apestaartjaren” (translated
as ‘the @‐years’ in English).
Ever since, www.apestaartjaren.be has become a
very popular platform for youthworkers who are
looking for information about youngsters and
new media
about youngsters and www.apestaartjaren.be
info@apestaartjaren.be

3. www.jeugdwerknet.be
(+32) 9 231 82 70
GRAFFITI info@jeugdwerknet.be
YOUTH SERVICE
Graffiti Youth Service is a national non‐profit JEUGDWERKNET
youth organization that introduces children and
young people in a creative and experimental Jeugdwerknet.be is the most popular webportal
way with all kinds of (alternative) forms of for Flemish youthworkers, containing databases
communication. with games, recipes, jobs, rules and legislation,…
Youthworkers can find information about
Graffiti Youth Service organizes a quality youthwork and ict, ask questions or discuss
service which consists of workshops, tours, new technologies and youthwork issues.
courses, training and projects. Their activities
focus on the funside of communicating and Jeugdwerknet supports youthworkers
experimenting with communication in group (youth clubs, youth movements, …) in Flanders in
because they believe communication is a their activities online. The organization builds
precondition to participate in society. websites, provides webhosting for youthwork
organizations, gives trainings and workshops
Graffiti Youth Service also has a specialized concerning internet,
library about graffiti (policy) and other forms of software and communication.
alternative communication.
www.graffiti‐jeugddienst.be
(+32) 9 233 79 86
info@graffiti‐jeugddienst.be

4. MEDIAPEDIA.BE
The web portal www.apestaartjaren.be offers information to
youth workers. We try to filter news about new media in the
regular press and explain what is really relevant for
youthworkers.
On the website you can also find the ‘MediaPedia’: an online
helpdesk that contains information, tip and tricks and tutorials
for youthworkers who want to start using new media in their
organization.
RESEARCH
Every two years Graffiti Youth Service and Jeugdwerknet question over 1000 youngsters in
Flanders about the possession, use of new media and the attitude of youngsters to it. In
2009 we did a survey with 1700 youngsters (12‐18 y) in secondary school en 200 children
(10 y) in elementary school. This research was carried out in cooperation with Ghent Uni‐
versity. You can download the results of this research from www.apestaartjaren.be for free.
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
We present the results of the Apestaart‐
jaren Research on our Conference every
two year. In 2010 we gathered over 200
Flemish youthworkers in Ghent for the
presentation of the results, and 12 other
workshops about online privacy, sexuality,
working with Facebook, viral marketing,…
Every year we also organize 2 small
‘Updates’: small conference evenings on
which we invite 2‐3 experts who will share
their knowledge about a certain topic re‐
lated to new media.
Throughout the whole year, we travel
throughout the country to give lectures or
do practical workshops ’on demand’ for
youth organizations.