The REAL project aimed to achieve three main objectives: to connect the knowledge and experience of youth organisations on the impacts of problematic internet use; to engage young people and youth workers in recognising, preventing and addressing harmful digital behaviours; and to empower youth communities to challenge the normalisation of these behaviours in everyday life. Through participatory trainings, the co-creation of the REAL Framework and book, and inclusive communication strategies, we sought to raise awareness, strengthen critical thinking and promote healthier digital habits. We also aimed to equip youth workers with tools to detect early signs of digital overuse and offer effective, accessible responses. By creating multilingual, user-friendly educational resources and fostering transnational cooperation, we ensured that the knowledge gained would be transferable and sustainable. Ultimately, the project intended to inspire long-term behavioural change and reinforce resilience among young people in a digital society. The project also encouraged the development of inclusive educational practices that could be adapted across diverse cultural and social contexts.
We applied for the REAL project in response to the growing concern over problematic internet use among young people across Europe. With the increasing normalisation of digital dependency, many youth are experiencing reduced emotional connection, social isolation and negative behavioural patterns related to excessive online activity. Our organisations identified a shared need to develop effective educational tools and prevention strategies to address these issues. The project aimed to support youth workers and young learners in understanding and tackling behaviours, such as social media addiction, cyberbullying, online gambling and digital hoarding. By combining our expertise, ranging from clinical psychology and emotional education to behavioural detox and community engagement, we sought to build a transnational framework that would empower youth, promote conscious internet use and create inclusive educational practices. The project also responded to the lack of accessible, youth-friendly resources on this topic, especially for communities with fewer opportunities or limited awareness of the risks linked to online overexposure.