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TECH FREE Training Course for youth workers

2023-1-EL02-KA153-YOU-0001487352023Mobility of youth workersfinalized
Countries: EL|PL|ES|HR|IT · Grant: €24,249
Development of training coursesQuality and innovation of youth workDigital safety

Objectives

Although technology assists modern life and its accomplishments cannot be denied, the need for safe use is acknowledged. So, the project title “TECH FREE” was formed with reference to the relief from the negative impact that the dysfunctional use of technology -namely internet and screen devices- has on the lives of the young. TECH-FREE project was carried out with an aim to help youth workers develop skills and knowledge useful in supporting young people maintain healthy internet and technology attitudes and behaviours. The purpose of the project was justified by the alarming fact that observation that young people are currently over-engaged in the internet, information and technology devices and apps. Moreover, since the Covid-19 outbreak, the social media and online platforms have been used excessively for studying, working, shopping, communicating and socializing by the youth. The training course intended to equip youth workers with support tools and knowledge that wou;d help young people build bridges to reconnect with offline life. Additionally, the TECH FREE training toolkit for youth workers, that was developed in the frame of system Development and Outreach activities, aimed to serve as a reachable point of reference for youth workers, with detailed instructions about the implementation of tech-free activities for the support of young people at risk of developing a dysfunctional use with internet and screen devices. More specifically, with the aim to provide knowledge enhancement and skills development for youth workers to help young people (18-30) maintain healthy use of the internet, social media apps and digital devices, the project had set the following objectives: Provide mobility transnational experiences and practices exchange to 25 youth workers from 5 European countries and expand training skills and non intervening guidance techniques for 25 youth workers. Raise awareness for 25 youth workers to detect dysfunctional internet and technology related habits of young people at risk and differentiate those behaviours from healthy ones. Train 25 youth workers in the main principles of addiction and internet and digital addiction. Train 25 youth workers in behavioristic techniques and the use of self-monitoring sheets to help young people schedule, monitor and maintain healthy routines for internet and screen device use. Engage 25 youth workers in experiential activities that include mindfulness and relaxation techniques that may be used in personalised or group counseling for young people. Produce an accessible, innovative and digitally available training toolkit that may serve towards the enhancement of skills and knowledge that youth workers may need in order to help young people maintain safe internet and technology attitudes and healthy behaviours related to the use of digital screen devices. Share materials that youth workers will be able to use in order to limit the use of electronic devices amongst the youth they work with. Indirectly affect youth at risk of internet addiction through the help they will receive by the trained youth workers.

Project partners (5)