14 May, 2026. We held the BootStRaP project conference at the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas), bringing together leading international researchers on problematic use of the internet, and young people, alongside policymakers and decision-makers.
The conference focused on the theme “From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People” and aimed to accelerate the shift from scientific evidence to practical solutions to address risks related to problematic use of the internet (PUI).
More than 150 participants attended the conference in person, and the online content received about 800 views on the first day (English and Lithuanian versions together), reflecting strong interest and urgency around the topic.
Conference RECORD | Conference PROGRAMME
The BootStRaP conference was opened and welcomed by representatives of key institutions, including Orinta Leiputė, Vice Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania and Patron of the Conference; Laimutė Vaidelienė, Vice Minister of Health of Lithuania; Marius Vaščega, Head of the European Commission Representation in Lithuania; and Rima Naginienė, Deputy Director for Research at the Lithuanian Health and Science University (LSMU) Neuroscience Institute.
The discussions brought together BootStRaP project researchers and international experts, alongside representatives from key Lithuanian institutions – the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Ministry of Health, the Communications Regulatory Authority, Vilnius University Institute of Psychology, and the National Youth Council (LiJOT) – as well as representatives from the European Parliament.
The BootStRap conference marked an important step in the project – the transition from research to implementation, where evidence-based solutions are urgently needed. This event created a space for direct dialogue between science and policy, focusing on practical prevention and intervention approaches that can be translated into real-world action.
Net&Me BootStRaP is a transnational project implemented across 14 countries, and we aim to reduce the risks of problematic internet use among young people and develop evidence-based responses. A key principle of the BootStRaP project is the active involvement of young people throughout the process – not only as participants, but as co-creators of solutions.
Following the conference, the work continues through international workshops, where young people and researchers collaborate to develop practical responses.
Please join the conference recording on the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) YouTube channel (in English)
Discover moments from the conference in this photo album. When sharing or using these photos, please include the following credit: Chancellery of the Seimas, photo by Olga Posaškova.
Related LinkedIn post, Facebook post 1, Facebook post 2.
We are grateful to our colleagues for their contributions to the conference:
Opening keynote: Natalie Hall (United Kingdom)
Closing keynote: Ornella Corazza (Italy)
Session chairs:
José Manuel Menchón (Spain)
Stefano Pallanti (Italy)
Vesta Steiblienė (Lithuania)
Julius Burkauskas (Lithuania, BootStRaP project lead in Lithuania)
Plenary lectures:
Carmen Moreno (Spain)
Susanne Walitza (Switzerland)
Katajun Lindenberg (Germany)
Julius Burkauskas (Lithuania)
Célia Sales (Portugal)
Louca Mai Brady (United Kingdom)
Andres Roman-Urrestarazu (United Kingdom)
Mart Susi (Estonia)
Zsolt Demetrovics (Australia)
Andrea Czakó (Gibraltar)
Discussion panel participants:
Ornella Corazza (Italy)
José Manuel Menchón (Spain)
Mart Susi (Estonia)
Andres Roman-Urrestarazu (United Kingdom)
Dainius Žalimas (European Parliament)
Vesta Steiblienė (Lithuania, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences)
Augustė Dudutytė (Lithuania, Ministry of Social Security and Labour)
Neringa Grygutytė (Lithuania, Ministry of Health)
Kristina Mikoliūnienė (Lithuania, Communications Regulatory Authority)
Inga Truskauskaitė (Lithuania, Vilnius University Institute of Psychology)
Umberto Masi (Lithuanian Youth Council, LiJOT)
Moderator: Julius Burkauskas (Lithuania)
BootStRaP communication team information
