Facebook Usage among Urban Indigenous Youth at Risk

Abstract

This article examines how urban Indigenous youth who are at risk express themselves on Facebook. Our study data show (1) they share Indigenous culture and express interest in the wellbeing of family and friends; (2) their personal status updates showed a great deal of variability; (3) they expressed their physical or psychological status when they felt at risk and posted media to validate their at-risk status; (4) they reported that a lack of content for addressing risk management; (5) they noticed that friends were at risk by observing changes in language; and (5) they believe that Indigenous culture supports their posts.