There has been a lot of talk lately about dialogue in general, and especially about dialogue among young people. There is a desire to encourage it and to create opportunities and events where young people can discuss key, controversial topics.
However, rarely does anyone ask why young people do not participate more actively in dialogue or what their obstacles and barriers are. Even less often are young people themselves asked about this.
As part of the “Težke teme” (HardTopics) project, I therefore interviewed young people aged 15 to 29 about the following:
- how they personally perceive dialogue and expressing opinions,
- what hinders them from participating in the dialogue process,
- what would make dialogue easier for them, especially with people holding completely opposite views,
- and what opinions they think their peers have about this.
I conducted what are known as “problem interviews.” Key themes that emerged were anonymity, self-confidence, motivation for dialogue, and the influence of social media and the environment.
The results provided the content and structural basis for further events and workshops. Most importantly, they allowed for a broader and deeper understanding of young people’s attitudes toward dialogue. Below are some of the findings that surprised me.
Dialogue: More Than Just a Conversation
Most young people interviewed view dialogue as an important tool for exchanging views, gaining different perspectives, and breaking down stereotypes. Still, they frequently point out a general indifference among students and young professionals.
Most suggest this indifference stems from a lack of feeling safe within their family, community, and society. However, there is a view that this apathy is often superficial. In reality, successful dialogue for this generation means that both sides achieve some compromise, that mutual respect is present, and perhaps even an understanding of opposing viewpoints. They see dialogue not just as a means to exchange information, but primarily as an opportunity for personal growth, breaking down stereotypes, and building friendships.
Four Main Challenges
A significant portion of the conversations focused on the challenges of engaging in dialogue. While numerous, four were most frequently mentioned: fear of exposure, lack of self-confidence, anonymity, and an unfamiliar and often unsafe environment.
- Fear of exposure was cited as a general problem by all respondents. They primarily attributed this to the fear of judgment, being misunderstood, or potential conflict. They felt that it often “wasn’t worth it” for young people to speak up, as they believe their actions can’t really change anything, and by exposing themselves, they risk attacks on their personal integrity or the possibility of being wrong.
One respondent linked this to the right-vs-wrong principle instilled during upbringing: in school, you raise your hand and must give the correct answer; if you don’t, or if you don’t say what the teacher expects, you face a negative response. Consequently, this can lead to an individual deciding to stop raising their hand (exposing themselves), thereby eliminating the probability of being wrong. This phenomenon is professionally known as the “fear of making a mistake,” which manifests in dialogue as pressure on the young person to have a definitive, “correct” opinion, thus reducing the openness and spontaneity of the conversation.
- Young people often prefer to remain silent and just listen, which is strongly linked to a lack of self-confidence, which respondents also highlighted as a considerable problem. Some believe that they do not have enough knowledge about a particular topic (or even generally) to contribute to the discussion, so they prefer to listen. If addressed directly, they often adopt the opinion of someone with more developed beliefs or retreat behind indifference.
- Respondents had varied opinions regarding anonymity in dialogue, but many addressed its dual nature. While anonymity can increase the willingness to express oneself and reduce the pressure of the fear of error, it can also encourage irresponsible behavior and diminish the sense of personal accountability. Moreover, the majority of respondents believed that anonymity reduces one’s social influence, as an anonymous opinion carries less weight and is taken less seriously. Especially in the age of social media, young people stated they often miss the personal contact and human connection that anonymity weakens.
- They prefer to engage in conversations where their interlocutors are known, where they feel they have a safe space, and where they feel respected. Nearly all of them, however, stressed the desire to be heard—that interlocutors not interrupt them and, crucially, not devalue their opinion and contribution to the dialogue.
When Do Young People Engage in Conversation?
As a result of the challenges listed above (and others), young people are quite “selective” when it comes to the dialogue process itself. They primarily engage with topics they find interesting, important, and personally relevant.
Most respondents educate themselves before forming an opinion on a subject—through books, videos, podcasts, and asking questions to friends and family members. They are determined not to enter a dialogue unprepared or with insufficient information. For most, the process is significantly eased if the dialogue includes someone who can initiate the conversation and provide some anchor points for others to build upon.
Interviewees also emphasized the importance of the timing, location, and number of participants, as most feel more comfortable in smaller groups (or in one-on-one conversations) and in environments conducive to deeper discussions.
Social Media: Aid or Trap?
When asked where they obtain most of their information and through which channels most of their communication takes place, almost all respondents answered social media. Yet, they also acknowledge its drawbacks. Although it grants access to information and opportunities to express opinions, this often occurs in an anonymous or superficial form. More importantly, social media frequently encourages comparison with others, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and heightened passivity.
One respondent commented that they listen to many podcasts and various videos, but “Instagram and social networks are not where I look for serious dialogue.” For more serious topics, young respondents prefer YouTube videos, podcasts, reading (popular) expert articles, and conversations with friends.
How to Improve Dialogue Skills?
Almost all respondents expressed a desire to improve their own dialogue skills and suggested several ways this could be achieved. They expressed interest in technical improvement through education on rhetoric and forming quality arguments, as well as skills training such as assertive communication, conflict resolution, and empathy.
They want to encourage dialogue in smaller, safe groups where it would be further emphasized that it’s okay to hold different opinions and that dialogue is primarily meant for learning from and about each other.
Most respondents would participate in motivational events with a personal approach and a pleasant atmosphere, such as less formal conversation evenings where there is no fear of the consequences of differing opinions, or dialogue events with pre-prepared and known topics (pre-known reference points and questions).
When Dialogue Becomes Real
The findings above point, in one way or another, to the process of polarization occurring in our society. During the dialogue workshops and events within the “HardTopics” project, many of these findings were addressed by including and presenting relevant topics, and especially through the structure of the events themselves.
The project’s experiences so far confirm the findings of these interviews—that young people do want to participate in dialogue, if we offer them a safe space where their opinions are welcome, heard and respected. Therefore, it is crucial that we include them in societal discussions as equal partners and enable them to leave their mark, both in their everyday lives and in wider society.
Klara Klobučar
