Hidden Youth and the Virtual World: The Process of Social Censure and Empowerment

Hidden Youth and the Virtual World examines the phenomenon of ‘hidden youth’ or hikikomori, as it is better known in Japan as well as Hong Kong. Exposure to the Internet has allowed these young persons to develop a high level of capability within the virtual world, however these are skills that are not highly valued by society. This book uncovers the truth about hidden youth, the causes, coping strategies, power relations between them and adults in society, and their relationship with the virtual world. Key topics surrounding the phenomenon of hidden youth are explored in detail, including:

• The framework of Social Censure Theory
• The theoretical concepts of hegemony and the impact that labelling by the Government, the media and institutions has had on hidden youth
• The willingness of the hidden youth to remain hidden within the virtual world
• Subcultures as a platform for hidden youth empowerment

This is a particularly useful volume to researchers in child and adolescent psychology, clinical psychology, counselling and psychotherapy, school psychology, sociology, social work, and youth policy; as well as youth workers, school counsellors and mental health professionals, and will appeal to the interest of both academics and practitioners alike.

Gloria Hongyee Chan – School of Social Sciences, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong