Beyond Addiction: Social Aspects of Digital Presence from the Perspective of Youth and Adults

The project addresses the increasingly pressing social issue of risky and problematic use of digital technologies among children and adolescents in Slovenia. Research indicates that with the digitalization of young people’s everyday lives, behaviors related to excessive screen use, reduced concentration, emotional dependence on online content, and a consequent increase in mental distress are also rising. The project stems from the need for a systematic approach to these phenomena within the educational system and for the development of evidence-based measures in the areas of prevention, intervention, and monitoring. It also highlights the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and long-term planning of digital education and child protection policies.

The central concept of the project is “digital presence,” which goes beyond the narrow understanding of digital addiction and enables a more comprehensive and differentiated understanding of young people’s digital habits—from functional, developmentally appropriate use to risky forms of behavior. The project develops a conceptual framework that incorporates social, developmental, and technological factors and enables more precise identification of risk factors and more effective targeting of preventive measures.

The objectives of the project include: (1) a conceptual definition of forms of digital presence (functional, problematic, risky), (2) an empirical assessment of the prevalence of digital technology use among young people in schools, (3) the development of foundations for professional recommendations, guidelines, and a cooperation protocol between schools, parents, and professionals, and (4) a proposal for a measurement instrument for the long-term monitoring of digital technology use in the educational system. The project combines quantitative and qualitative research approaches: surveys among pupils, secondary school students, parents, and school professionals; focus groups with young people; ethnographic observation studies in the school environment; and analysis of practices.