Scenarios USA Digital Media Corps: A Snapchat Takeover

The young people of the Scenarios Media Corps and the True Star Ambassadors will learn how to craft, simplify, and run a campaign (entitled “Homies Help Homies“) via one specific, widely-used, youth-friendly app – Snapchat – which is receiving international attention due to its potential. Utilizing Snapchat and its myriad features to engage peers in a conversation about allyship through in-person and digital connections, youth will document the viability of Snapchat as a participatory action research tool. Youth will document person-to-person engagement every time they train or engage someone through the Snapchat app, and note and download media from in-person and digital interactions. These “Snapchat Engagements” will take place in public spaces (like Millennium Park), at youth-attended events (like 21Minus at the MCA), and in schools (at Lunchroom Takeovers).

A “Lunchroom Takeover” is a True Star signature event where each integration is customized. The Lunchroom Takeover connects us with the high school millennial audience right in the lunchroom. During the takeover, tables are set up to distribute information while other ambassadors actively engage with students at the lunch tables. We may do quick contests with free prizes for participants. True Star will thoroughly train ambassadors and Media Corp youth on this approach and some staff will be present during implementation.

During summer 2015, the Youth Media Corps will also focus on increasing traffic to and honing the “Homies Help Homies” advocacy campaign. Youth will work to develop digital engagement skills like sharing via social media, engaging friends to participate in their work, and creating and curating brief yet substantial content appropriate for Snaps, Twitter, and other social media.