Participation Toolbox

A widget is an element of content or interactivity that can be easily embedded on different websites.

• Sprout Builder - is a tool for building rich interactive flash widgets. It is only available with a subscription fee.

• Clearspring provide a platform for taking web content and turning it into easy-to-redistribute widgets which can be embedded on a wide variety of platforms and which can be easily tracked.

There are a range of tools which you can use to add commenting and feedback features to your site.

• Disqus - a social-network and media aware comment system easy to embed in any website. Offering full moderation features, Wordpress blog integration, and RSS feed of comments.

• JS-Kit - a set of resources including comment boxes, polls and featured content widgets.

Major social networks

• Facebook
• Bebo
• MySpace

White label social networks

• Ning
• Elgg

Other approaches

• Google Connect
• Application Building

• Google Maps
• Photo Sharing
• Video Sharing

• SMS

• NetVibes

A good strategy for using social media for youth engagement may involve quite a few different tools.

It's important to think about how you will integrate them.

• RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication' and is a key tool for connecting and integrating different social media tools.