HORIZON Europe project on the impact of digital technologies on adolescents

Digital technologies and tools such as smartphones, generative artificial intelligence, and social media shape the everyday lives of adolescents. Existing studies on how these affect young people's learning capacities and well-being remain fragmented, often country-specific, and tend to focus on risks rather than on opportunities that promote development. The European research project "Thrive: Thriving through Reflection on Digital Engagement for Learning and Well-Being" therefore addresses a central challenge in education policy: achieving a better understanding of how young people engage with digital technologies. "We want scientifically grounded insights into how digital practices – that is, the use of social media or generative AI – influence the learning and well-being of adolescents," says Sanja Tumbas of the Institute for Digital Technology Management at BFH Business School.

At the start of the project, comprehensive baseline data will be collected using an open-source AI tool called "Orbita" – across 30 schools in seven European countries (Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy). These data will be gathered from approximately 4,000 adolescents aged 14 to 16. Throughout the project, the young people will keep a weekly journal in Orbita. Orbita guides them in this process and supports them in their self-reflection on their use of digital technologies and the impact on their well-being. The insights gained are incorporated into the scientific analysis and are also used to further develop Orbita. Additional data will be collected through surveys of teachers and school leadership.

"On this basis, we will develop concrete recommendations for schools, teachers, policymakers, and also for pupils as the project progresses," explains Sanja. These recommendations are then intended to find their way into practice. The schools participating in the study represent a first step. Building on this, the research findings will engage Europe-wide networks and organisations (SELFIE, DIGYMATEX, CORE), various events, and a new network for digital well-being in schools that is yet to be established.

In alignment with the goals of Horizon Europe regarding digital education, well-being, and inclusion, Thrive will deliver robust scientific findings and practice-oriented tools. In doing so, the project will make an important contribution to fostering digital literacy, metacognitive competencies, and resilience among young people in European schools.

The project proposal was led by Sanja Tumbas, Nikolaus Obwegeser, Thiemo Wambsganss, and Roman Rietsche. Over the next four years, they will lead the Europe-wide consortium of 13 partners at the Institute for Digital Technology Management.