Content area
Full Text
Youth today live in an interactive, highly media-orientated world. Music videos, computer games and the Internet use a dynamic approach that appeals to teens. The Web in particular provides exciting opportunities to enhance and expand health education with youth. The question is 'how to use information technology effectively with youth for health promotion'.
TeenNet and CyberIsle
Since 1995, the TeenNet Project, coordinated by the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Toronto, has worked with a network of youth and over 17 collaborating organizations to engage youth in health promotion through the use of multimedia and interactive technologies.
In 1996-97, TeenNet worked directly with youth, health practitioners and educators to create an interactive Website called CyberIsle (www.cyberisle.org) -- one of the first of its kind. CyberIsle uses the metaphor of an island to present youth with components related to a wide range of teen health and social issues. Once on the Island, teens can visit a number of locations including washrooms, the beach, and the Island's dance club- Cyberia. By clicking on different objects in these rooms, teens can visit external health-related websites, or other places on CyberIsle. TeenNet's Quality...