Monica Pauls is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Child Studies and Social Work at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Her research focuses on youth, technology, and digital practice, with particular attention to social media use and youth activism. She teaches in the Bachelor of Child Studies, primarily in the areas of program design and evaluation, research methods, systems and social policy, and child and youth care practice. Her teaching emphasizes the integration of theory and practice through participatory learning, partnerships with community organizations, and opportunities for applied learning. Prior to her academic career, Monica worked as Coordinator for Alberta-based research projects at the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family and as a Policy Analyst with the United Way of Calgary and Area. She also spent several years working directly with at-risk youth in schools, community programs, and residential settings. Monica holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Calgary. Her doctoral research, which forms the foundation of this book, examined the role of social media in youth activism.