Avatar Project – background

Avatar is an action research project working with young people. We aim to create (and research) an evolving online community of young people creating, building and interacting in Teen Second Life, a teenager-only environment based on the popular Second Life virtual world. (http://www.secondlife.com). Based at Victoria University in Melbourne, Avatar is funded by VicHealth’s Youth, Technology and Social Relationships grant.

The project’s purpose is to learn more about how technology influences mental health in young people, specifically how young people use networked technologies to form or augment their identities, form social bonds and include/exclude others. We are conducting research in parallel to the project activity. (See our research page for more details)

We are currently seeking participants to join Avatar in exploring and using the Teen Second Life environment. Our aim is to build networks of young people through activities initiated within this exciting new 3D environment.

Participants in Avatar come from a diverse range of backgrounds, but they need to be between the ages of 13-17 and enjoy getting involved in a new virtual community of people. We accept groups involved with schools or other youth agencies.

If you’re interested please Contact Us.

We are always keen to come and demonstrate our program.