Background

In today’s digital era, technology is an integral part of students’ lives. While it offers numerous educational benefits, it also presents serious challenges, particularly digital addiction and the misuse of technological tools. The DigRight project was developed to address these concerns by providing teachers with an innovative tool to help prevent and identify digital addictions while improving their own digital skills.

Teachers are increasingly aware of how technology has transformed the behavior and cognitive styles of younger generations. However, despite recognizing the issue, they often lack adequate materials and resources to effectively tackle these challenges. The role of teachers has evolved beyond simply integrating technology into classrooms—they are now responsible for guiding students in technological literacy and ensuring they use digital tools responsibly.

The Growing Need for Action

99%

Nearly 99% of students own a smartphone or laptop with internet access, yet only 30% use them for studying online.

90%

90% of individuals aged 15-24 have increased their daily internet usage.

25%

25% of students spend more than three hours daily on the internet for non-educational purposes.

15%

15% of students dedicate over three hours per day to playing video games.

88%

88% of 15-24-year-olds actively use social media, with 80% engaging daily.

13.5%

13.5% of high school students display signs of maladaptive internet use behaviors.

These statistics highlight a growing technological addiction, referred to as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) or Internet Use Disorder (IUD). This condition, recognized by psychologists, involves an inability to control the use of smartphones, social media, video games, and other digital platforms. Alarmingly, most students aged 12-18 experience at least a low-grade addiction to digital devices, while teachers lack the necessary knowledge to properly address this issue.

A Common Challenge Across Schools

From the inception of DigRight, the project consortium identified digital addiction as a shared concern among participating schools. This has reinforced the urgency to develop innovative solutions that equip teachers with the right resources and strategies to support students in cultivating healthier digital habits.

How DigRight Will Make a Difference

The consortium aims to enhance digital competencies by developing two key resources:

📱 A gamified app to engage students in responsible digital behavior.
📖 An educational kit to support teachers in addressing digital addiction effectively.

By implementing these tools, teachers, educators, and students will be better prepared to navigate the digital world safely, fostering a balanced and healthy relationship with technology.