Digital tools play an important role in how young people participate. In 2024, according to the National Institute of Youth and Non Popular Education (INJEP), "the main form of participation in civic and political life over the last twelve months remains the signing of a petition or defending a cause online". 41% of 15-30 year olds have expressed themselves through a petition in the last twelve months, including a predominance of young women (44% compared to 38%) (INJEP, 2024).

Julien Boyadjian (INJEP, 2020) explains the "over-representation of young people in forms of digital participation" by: 

1. A greater knowledge of digital use among young people; 
2. The adjustment and appropriation of the new generations with regard to these tools, which would be more theirs than those of their elders; 
3. The reduction in the "costs of participation" that digital technology allows compared to face-to-face events.

Digital consultations and participation

As part of the French component of the Conference on the Future of Europe in 2021, an online consultation “Give the voice to the youth” ("Parole aux Jeunes") was organised by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in partnership with Make.org. It questioned 50,000 French people aged between 15 and 30 and produced 2198 proposals on their vision of Europe and the European Union, including:

• The desire for a strong French and European role regarding conflicts and actors who do not respect human rights;
• The integration of an "environment" clause in European decisions;
• The desire for an interconnected Europe through better transport infrastructures and the promotion of interculturality.

Moreover, between June and July 2023, the online consultation "Youth for a United World" ("Jeunes pour un monde solidaire") was held. It was organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, through the National Council for Development and International Solidarity (Conseil National du Développement et de la Solidarité Internationale - CNDSI). Open to individuals aged 15 to 35, it was based on an online platform allowing remote participation from across the country. The objective of this initiative was to involve young people in shaping French policies on development and international solidarity. The consultation aimed to gather participants' ideas, expectations, and proposals to inform the development and definition of public policies on international cooperation.

In parallel with digital participation, the public authorities, in particular the ministries in charge of education and youth via the National Institute of Youth and Popular Education (INJEP), are conducting numerous studies and research on the use of new technologies among young people and "digital citizenship":

• The magazine, "Digital school" (l’Ecole numérique), a magazine for the appropriation of information and communication technologies (ICTE) within the educational community, raises teachers' awareness of the use of ICTE and provides them with concrete resources for the classroom. This magazine is part of the Canopé network, which publishes multimedia educational resources under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research.
• The issue of digital technology, particularly as a tool for youth involvement and participation, is one of the themes of the INJEP. The Institute analyses and produces knowledge on new ICTE practices, but also monitors information on these issues.

Civic Techs that use digital technologies to engage citizens can enable young people to participate in consultations.