This study will collect data to first understand young people’s perspectives on digital technologies and how they can be put to a good use. Collaborators seek to expand the concept of digital literacy and consider what this means for youth mental health (e.g. responsible use, identifying misinformation), and explore factors related to users and environments (app design, socioeconomics, school, etc).

Collaborators will then work with community groups and technology developers to co-design innovations that help children and young adults build up digital literacy and use technologies in a safe and responsible way. The project aims to identify complementary digital and non-digital interventions for diverse stakeholders (e.g. individuals, healthcare, schools) to create an environment that boosts the mental wellbeing of children and young adults and minimises negative impacts of digital technologies.

ICF funding will enable the team to conduct two seminars (one in Scotland, and one in Italy) designed to foster knowledge and skill exchange by offering a space to present previous research and share methodology expertise. The UK team will disseminate ongoing research on digital health in Rural Scotland and the collaborator will present ongoing research on co-designing care services.