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CTRL+ALT+Skill

2025-1-PT02-KA152-YOU-0003056182025Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: PT|RS|IT|ES|LT|RO · Grant: €39,837
Digital skills and competencesDigital safetyPhysical and mental health, well-being

Objectives

In recent years, the growing issue of "doomscrolling" — the passive consumption of negative content on social media — became a serious concern for youth across Europe. This behaviour often led to increased feelings of loneliness, social isolation, and anxiety, particularly among young people already vulnerable to mental health challenges. At the same time, the digital landscape was constantly evolving, and young people’s digital skills were often insufficient to navigate it safely and effectively, including the ability to critically evaluate content and engage with social media in a balanced way. The "CTRL+ALT+Skill" project was born as an answer to these challenges, as youth in Associação Jovem do Tortosendo found it imperative to address these issues in a practical and realistic manner, both for themselves and their community. The initiative aimed to promote digital literacy and well-being through the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp), which outlined key competencies for responsible, effective, and balanced engagement in the digital world. It was believed that by helping young people develop skills such as digital communication, online collaboration, information management, and critical thinking, they would be equipped with the tools needed to avoid passive social media consumption and reduce the negative impact of digital isolation. The project focused on strengthening local communities, particularly in rural areas, by encouraging meaningful online engagement. It facilitated active participation in local discussions and the creation of supportive virtual networks, allowing rural youth to connect with peers and resources beyond their immediate environment. By partnering with organisations from across Europe, the project aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of doomscrolling and to educate young people on the mental health risks of passive social media use, such as loneliness and anxiety. Several international partners, active in their communities, were involved, recognising that this issue did not affect only youth in one specific area. Therefore, Organizacija Plamen from Serbia, Europalmente Erasmus from Italy, ASOCIACION MIRANDO AL FUTURO DE CUENCA 2050 from Spain, DGT Association from Romania, and Atominiai from Lithuania were carefully selected to be part of the consortium. The goal was to transform passive scrolling into proactive social media use by promoting positive engagement and encouraging youth to create and share meaningful content. "CTRL+ALT+Skill" was committed to fostering inclusive participation, ensuring that youth from rural and underserved areas were not left behind in the digital transformation. By improving digital competencies, the project empowered young people to engage in both local and global digital spaces. It encouraged cross-border collaboration, bringing together young people from different countries to exchange experiences and best practices, while strengthening a sense of community and shared responsibility. Through this approach, the project promoted active citizenship, social cohesion, and the development of a future-ready generation capable of navigating the digital world with confidence and resilience. This project aligned with the Erasmus+ priorities by fostering digital transformation, inclusion, and active citizenship. It promoted DigComp digital competencies, empowering youth to engage responsibly with social media, combat doomscrolling, and develop healthier online habits. By enhancing digital skills among youth in rural and underserved areas, it helped bridge the digital divide while encouraging active participation and community-building, thus strengthening social cohesion and democratic values. By addressing the mental health impact of doomscrolling and the need for improved digital competencies, the project empowered young people to use social media responsibly and effectively. It also strengthened local communities by enabling youth to connect with others, access resources, and become more digitally engaged in local and regional affairs. Ultimately, "CTRL+ALT+Skill" aimed to foster a positive digital environment, where youth built healthy, supportive online connections while developing the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. With this initiative, the project aimed to empower young people through non-formal education, equipping them with the digital competencies outlined in the DigComp framework to thrive in an interconnected world. By tackling doomscrolling and promoting healthier online habits, participants developed critical skills needed to navigate digital spaces responsibly. By becoming proactive digital citizens, they contributed to positive change within their communities. At the European level, "CTRL+ALT+Skill" aimed to generate a ripple effect, enabling participants to share their experiences and insights, fostering innovative approaches to digital well-being and self-development across Europe.

Project partners (6)