The objectives of the project include: Empowering Adult Educators: To equip adult educators, particularly those working with disadvantaged groups, with the skills to diagnose and counteract Internet addiction (IAD). Developing Tools: To create a survival kit and a mobile application covering techniques for recognizing and addressing IAD, including: o Types and severity of IAD. o Communication strategies with addicted individuals. o Methods such as mindfulness, focus, self-awareness, and reliable situation assessment. o Prevention strategies for IAD. Addressing Root Causes: To foster critical skills for evaluating information, understanding the motives behind IAD, and improving individuals’ ability to analyze and manage the information they receive. Targeting Educators and Community: To design content tailored for adult educators in Europe while also benefiting the broader European community, including low-educated adults. Providing Educational Materials: To offer accessible materials that enhance knowledge and skills for educators, enabling them to use the resources in training or as supplementary material. To strengthen public awareness and understanding of IAD across Europe, promoting lifelong learning.
We applied for this project to tackle Internet addiction (IAD), a growing global issue. Studies show its high prevalence, especially in younger generations, driven by factors like individualism, reduced sociability, and enculturation. Despite its impact on personal lives and social relationships, educators working with disadvantaged adults often lack the tools to address it effectively. Focus group data confirmed this gap: 75–83% of educators lacked skills to recognize and prevent IAD, and 58–81% reported low digital awareness and limited experience with mindfulness techniques. This highlighted the urgent need to equip educators to combat IAD. The project created resources focused on recognizing IAD, prevention strategies, and mindfulness techniques to improve focus and self-awareness. Tailored for European educators, these materials also benefited the wider community by providing accessible tools for training. By enhancing educators’ skills, the project aimed to reduce IAD among disadvantaged adults, foster digital resilience, and promote healthier online behaviors, supporting lifelong learning and raising public awareness across Europe.