Young adults often wish for a place of their own, a place where they can "see and be seen" and "be together." Frequently, the options are limited to parking lots, malls, or the home of a friend. Watch This Space promotes a better place for teens that is free and open to everyone — public space.

After a brief overview and history of public spaces, the text scans topics like safety and sharing of public space, guidelines for designing public spaces, virtual public space, and more. Also included are simple ideas young adults can implement to promote and utilize public space in their communities like joining or starting a youth advisory group at the library or community center. Highlights of exemplary public spaces around the world provide real-life context for the ideas being promoted.

Dyer writes directly to the young adult reader in a relaxed tone; "Public spaces belong to everyone and no one in particular." The text is broken into succinct one or two page entries which flow smoothly from topic to topic. Cartoon drawings of public spaces and teens blend well with the text and provide light humor.