6 September 2024. As we approach a pivotal milestone in our BootStRaP Project, we are thrilled to announce the forthcoming launch of BootstrApp, a cutting-edge mobile application designed to address one of the most pressing issues facing today’s youth: safe and healthy internet use.

By utilising this innovative tool, nearly 10,000 teenagers across Europe will engage with our project, where scientists from across 14 countries are dedicated to understanding why some adolescents struggle to navigate the digital world safely and to foster healthier online habits that promote mental well-being.

By gathering information and offering evidence-based solutions through BootstrApp, we aim to mitigate internet overuse and enhance the mental health of young people aged 12 to 16 across Europe.

“This is not just a milestone for our team, but a significant step forward in our collective efforts to promote healthier digital habits and improve the mental well-being of adolescents in the digital age,” says the App Development Team lead professor Prof. Dr. Christian Montag. “ As we prepare to unveil the BootstrApp, we are excited about the potential it holds to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people across Europe,” he adds.

Meet the young people’s needs

Throughout the development process, the scientists have actively engaged with adolescents to better understand their needs and expectations.

Through focus groups at Ulm University in Germany and the BootStrap Bootcamp in the UK, the BootStRaP team gathered invaluable insights that shaped the app’s development. Their feedback led to the incorporation of an astronaut-themed narrative that guides users through the app, making the experience more relatable and engaging for the target age group.

After months of extensive research and collaboration, the BootstrApp is anticipated to be completed early in September 2024. Following that, a one-day testing phase including all participating countries will be held. This will be followed by the submission of the app to the Google Play and Apple App Stores.

How will it work?

This app will collect a range of data, including questionnaire responses, game interactions, and mobile sensing information.

All data collected through the BootstrApp and its companion, The Dragon Game App, will be securely transferred and stored on encrypted European servers, ensuring the highest standards of data protection and privacy.

So, when?

We expect that by mid-September, adolescents participating in the project will be able to download the BootstrApp onto their devices, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our study.

The app’s accomplishment is a credit to our development team’s skill and commitment.

The  App Team

  • Led by Prof. Dr. Christian Montag, a renowned expert in the field of cyberpsychology with extensive experience in developing mobile applications for experience sampling and mobile sensing studies related to Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use, the team also includes Christopher Kannen, a skilled software developer, and Nana Löchner, a project manager and UX/UI designer with a strong background in adolescent digital behavior research.

  • Christopher Kannen is a computer scientist who runs his own company, “ckannen Softwareentwicklung,” and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Ulm University, where he researches software design in the context of psychology.

  • Nana Löchner is also a Research Fellow at the Department of Molecular Psychology at Ulm University in Germany, with experience in research on Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use in adolescents.

The Future of the App

Looking ahead, we envision the BootstrApp evolving beyond its current role as an assessment tool. Future updates are planned to include intervention features aimed at further enhancing the digital well-being of teenagers. These enhancements will build on the strong foundation laid by the current app, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of young users in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Prepared by the BootStRaP Communication Team,

September 6, 2024

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