In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, young people are increasingly exposed to the pressures and demands of a hyper-connected world. Owning a smartphone has become common and most teenagers have access to a laptop or any other devices with an access to the internet. A study on online habits in the EU (Smahel et al., 2020) found that going online is now an integral part of the lives of most young people. While technology offers numerous benefits, it also poses significant challenges to the emotional well-being of youth. The rise in social media usage (especially during the pandemic), the constant availability of information, and the pressure to maintain an online presence have all contributed to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, loneliness, poorer sleep, body image concerns and stress (O’Neill, 2023). With the use of the internet increasing to unseen levels during the pandemic, it has become urgent to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of use of internet. In January 2023, there were 5.18 billion internet users worldwide, and 4.8 billion social media (Statista, 2023). Study conducted by Przybylski & Weinstein in 2020 noted higher negative impact on well-being among “active” social media users (posting status updates, sending messages) compared to “passive” users (looking at profiles, scrolling). Goals - The project seeks to equip young people with the tools, knowledge, and support to navigate the digital world in a healthy, emotionally stable way. - The goal is to raise awareness of emotional well-being and mental health in the digital age through education, helping participants and communities better understand the issue. - Provide tools for mindful technology use and promote digital literacy, teaching participants how digital platforms affect mental health and encouraging balanced technology engagement. This includes critical thinking skills to assess social media, news, and online interactions. - Equip participants with strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges worsened by digital technology, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience. - Promote cross-cultural cooperation through international youth exchange, showing that emotional well-being in the digital age is a global issue. - Share knowledge on the EU’s prevention-oriented approach to mental health. - Ensure participants, especially those with fewer opportunities, know how to access tools and resources for emotional well-being in the digital age, addressing the digital divide. - Highlight the importance of balancing online and offline life. - Teach participants to adopt sustainable habits, balancing screen time with physical activity and real-world engagement. - Explore who is most affected by digital mental health challenges, when, and why. - Educate others, including close communities, on digital mental health issues. - Enhance digital literacy for responsible technology use, fostering empathy and equity, while improving language skills. - Encourage participants to address mental health concerns through awareness campaigns, aiming to prevent online harassment. - Optimize the benefits of internet use while reducing its risks. Participants recognize the need for education in this area and aim to share their knowledge to benefit others. They seek to develop eight key skills by combating social exclusion and advocating for human rights, viewing this complex issue as a pathway to achieving their goals. Through collaboration, they aim to foster shared responsibility and community unity in addressing the challenges posed by digital technologies' impact on well-being. They believe addressing this issue will help reduce the negative effects of social media, information overload, and the pressure of maintaining an online presence. The project also seeks to raise awareness of the often-overlooked risks of internet use, particularly on social media, and identify the groups most vulnerable to online-related mental health issues. By tackling the root causes, they hope to achieve the greatest positive impact.