MTV is to launch a youth social activism network at Think.MTV.com backed by funding from AOL founder Steve Case's Case Foundation, Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates’ Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Goldhirsh Foundation and MCJ Foundation.

think MTV has chosen the credo "Reflect. Decide. Do." and wants to encourage young people to get involved in important domestic and international issues. According to its guiding principles, these issues are currently categorized in six areas: education, sexual health, discrimination, the environment & natural disasters, politics, and global affairs. think MTV is to promote its activity through long-form documentaries, public service announcements, news segments, think moments, the comprehensive website and interactive forum at think.mtv.com, emerging media platforms, speaking engagements, and grassroots activities, materials and issue guides.

The website will be similar to the other prominent online social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, The users will be able to upload photos and videos, some of which may be aired on MTV's online or cable network.

"We've only been able to devote a certain amount of time on air," MTV President Christina Norman said in a phone interview with Reuters. "The think platform creates an umbrella to be able to talk about a number of issues at a time."

In just a few hours, the site will start taking sign-ups, but is still in beta phase. The site will fully launch by year's end, according to Ian Rowe, VP public affairs and strategic partnerships at MTV, quoted by the Hollywood Reporter. The United Nations, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, and musician Bono were named by MTV as some of the site's early partners.

MTV apparently came up with the idea after a study contracted by MTV Networks last year that found that 80% of young people want to actively help their community but only 19% are "very involved." The site is to be promoted mainly on MTV and on the other MTVN channels, including VH1, especially when they feature shows on relevant issues.

think MTV is the first major operation which is part of MTV parent company Viacom's new Flux social networking initiative. Flux is a distributed platform, created out of what was once the social networking start-up Tagworld, which has already been integrated into some smaller niche sites.

think MTV will also allegedly feature "Action Badges," among other innovations, which could be rolled out in coming months. Users can earn them for verified real-world actions like volunteerism or blood donation, or by submitting video or photo content to the site.