15 May, 2026. How can we help young people regulate their emotions in the digital age?

In this interview with a Dutch science media outlet, Pim Widdershoven, researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, shares his perspective based on the BootStRaP study, reflecting on co-creation in social media research and the role of social media as a form of escapism.

BootStRaP is a collaboration of universities across 14 European countries, with the cohort study currently running in 9 countries, including the Netherlands. The study now involves around 2,500 young people.

In the Netherlands, 5 secondary schools are participating. An important component of the project is developing an app to help young people regulate their emotions.

Widdershoven and his international colleagues are developing it not only based on current scientific literature but also by actively involving young people in the design process.

“The idea is that we help young people regulate their emotions in a different way,” says Widdershoven. “We want to compete with the smartphone as an emotion regulator.”

A very engaging interview in Dutch. Its charm comes through even in translation. You can find it here: https://www.nemokennislink.nl/publicaties/jongeren-denken-zelf-mee-over-minder-schermtijd/
Jongeren denken zelf mee over minder schermtijd / Young people help shape solutions to reduce screen time