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Angela Dudfield
University of Tasmania
PO Box 1214 Newnham, Tasmania, 7250 Australia
e-mail: Angela.Dudfield@utas.edu.au

Young people are embracing the 'avant pop' cybercultures which have emerged in cyberspace, so much so that living, co-creating and reading the texts of cyberspace has become a significant and pervading form of existence for a new generation. There are young adults now who do not ever recall there _not_being technologised forms of communication, for whom the worlds in cyberspace have become a secondary world of existence.

Cyberculture is a product of complex and collaborative communicative practices, occuring over segments of time and "space". Members of cyber communities talk together, work together, learn together and play together. Within these communities exists dynamic interactions, social constructions, political negotiations, sexual posturing, and institutional histories. Alliances within the communities are created, high levels of trust and networking are developed, and members work together for the mutual entertainment, relaxation and enjoyment of all. These are key elements of social capital.

The question I see for adults and educators, is : "What lessons can we learn from these cybercommunities that we can use in 'real life' contexts to create the same levels of social capital?"

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