Work Wise: Jargon buster

Where might you hear it? When talking to youth workers

What does it mean? Plings represents a government effort to take advantage of modern media technology while promoting positive activities for young people at the same time. It is a £1m project working with 20 local authorities across England to collect and manage [information on places to go and things to do for 13- to 19-year-olds (places + things = Plings). The information is organised into live feeds, which can be accessed through media outlets such as social networking sites, digital TV and mobile phones. Plings is also available via "good old-fashioned leaflets and shop windows" for anyone who has not yet embraced the digital age.

The project has been funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of an information and signposting pilot due to run until September 2009. Based on an initiative originally piloted by Manchester and Stockport councils, Plings is run by a consortium consisting of Channel 4, Digi TV, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, consultancy firm WCL and YouthNet, and is led by the research organisation Substance.

Since 2006, local authorities have had a duty to publicise and keep up-to-date information on activities for young people.

How to use it: Spread the word and visit the website to see how you can advertise Plings in your area.

Find out more: www.plings.co.uk