Title of Research Study:
TakingITMobile: Youth, Mobile Phones and Social Change
Principle Investigator: Lisa Campbell

Project Partners:
TakingITGlobal.org
ART Mobile Lab

Project Description:
TakingITMobile is an e-PAR project which seeks to understand how youth leaders are using mobile communications in their work to create social change in communities around the world. e-PAR is a research technique which involves engaging youth as research partners through technology such as social networks and blogs. By collaborating with global youth leaders and activists through the TakingITGlobal social network we can identify key trends of how youth are using mobile phones to create positive changes in their communities and around the world.

Project Goals:
The research will lead to increased understanding of how youth are using mobile communications for social change. This information will in turn act as a blueprint for TakingITGlobal’s mobile engagement strategy that will hopefully ultimately lead to:

• Improved access to resources for youth leaders who do not have computer access
• Mobile integration of TakingITGlobal’s existing website and services
• A resource for other youth leaders and organizations who are looking to integrate mobile technology into their work for social change.

Methodology:
In order to achieve these goals an online survey has been created through TakingITGlobal. We hope that you can help us learn more about mobile phones and youth activism through your answers. The final report will include quotes from participants, but all data will be kept anonymous and will not be associated with your name. Once analyzed the results will be distributed in pdf form through the ART Mobile Lab, and TakingITGlobal websites.

Please try and answer all questions with as much detail as possible. As this survey is for mobile phone users, please do not participate unless you have access to a mobile phone. Before undertaking this survey it is important to know that participating is entirely voluntary and you can stop at any point if you feel uncomfortable. As well, it is important to know the risks and benefits of the research.

Benefits: Participants will reflect on their mobile phones as a tool for activism, and possibly learn of new methods of using their phones that they hadn't thought of before. Hopefully participants will feel inspired by undertaking the questionnaire.

Risks: If participants are engaged in illegal activity and reveal it through the survey they could be revealing potentially dangerous information that could put them at risk. As many repressive governments moderate and censor internet content it is advised that participants do not divulge sensitive information if they fear their safety.

This research has been reviewed and approved by the Faculty of Environmental Studies’ Human Participants Research Committee on behalf of York University, and conforms to the standards of the Canadian Tri-Council Research Ethics guidelines. If you have any questions about this process, or about your rights as a participant in the study, please contact Ms. Diane Legris, Manager, Faculty Governance, in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, 125 HNES Building, telephone 416-736-2100 x33783 or e-mail: dlegris@yorku.ca, or Ms. Alison Collins, Manager of Research Ethics, 309 York Lanes, York University, telephone 416-736-5914 or e-mail: acollins@yorku.ca. As well, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Principle Investigator:

Lisa Campbell, MES Student
lisa@mobilerevolutions.org
(647) 201-7436