Youth Portal

You have just discovered the ideal solution for an Australian local council youth website.

Studies show that youth have very specific needs and interact with websites differently and a token page on a local council website or YMCA or even a MySpace page is just nowhere near enough !

A YOUTH Portal website can help you to tackle local youth issues including unemployment, graffiti, binge drinking alcohol and drugs, depression, sexual health, family issues, domestic violence, bullying, eating disorders and teenage suicide by engaging young people and encouraging their participation and expression.

Web 2.0, according to experts in the field, is a perfect fit for council youth departments, who have different communication requirements to any other business unit. YOUTH Portal is a Web 2.0 application purpose built for youth departments, but it can just as easily be used by local YMCA's and any site aimed at a young audience.

YOUTH Portal is designed to meet the recommendations of several studies, including the findings of web usability expert Jakob Neilsen in his 2005 study Usability of Website for Teenagers, the University of Melbourne Youth Research paper “Young people, wellbeing and communication technologies” and our own extensive consultation with the young demographic of our own council customers. As a result, Datalink’s YOUth Portals are some of the most usable and interactive youth sites on the web.

Benefits:

Increase two way communication and facilitate consultation with local young people
Increase awareness of council services amongst young people
Create a sense of inclusiveness and community belonging
Give increased exposure to local events and bands
Provide access to counselling and support networks online
Entertain and educate
Promote responsible parenting and “safe” information
Connect with multicultural groups

Portal Features:

Some great content, preinstalled and ready to use
Visitors can personalise the website, including colour schemes
Range of optional Interactive templates - Community noticeboard/discussion forum/chat room, events calendar, online poll, YouTube video, online surveys
"Roving reporter" and blog functions
Randomised content designed for return visitors
Accessible to disabled users
Links in easily with a local council’s corporate website and external youth programs such as Freeza and Indent.
Freestyler Content Management – No technical knowledge is required for content contribution to YOUth Portal - all you need is a web browser. Freestyler is already in use by some of the leading local councils in Australia, and supports federal requirements for government websites.

Service Options:

Professional Graphic Design Service - our template design service is included. Use our logo or your own. Customise the look and feel of your portal, convert and existing site or even directly involve young people in the design process.
Website Hosting & Statistics Tool
Staff training and assistance with content
An optional ongoing content service, facilitated by young people
Ready within 2 weeks !
FREE initial consultation

So start today by contacting Datalink to get your local YOUTH Portal up and going this financial year.