3 June, 2026. In Vienna, at the seminar “Digital Environments: Risks, Harms and Opportunities for Children and Youth”, organised by the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, Dr Julius Burkauskas, researcher at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and member of the BootStRaP consortium, delivered a keynote presentation on problematic internet use (PUI) among adolescents.
Dr Julius Burkauskas presented the BootStRaP research on problematic internet use (PUI) among adolescents, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the amount of time young people spend online and understanding the psychological and emotional factors associated with problematic use.
The two-day seminar brought together experts and stakeholders to examine how digital environments are affecting children and young people, and what can be done to reduce associated risks. Discussions addressed the progress already made in understanding digital harms, as well as the challenges that remain in developing effective policy and regulatory responses.
BootStRaP contributed to this discussion by highlighting the need for approaches that address problematic internet use and protect young people while recognising that digital technologies also provide important opportunities for learning, communication and participation. Effective regulation therefore needs to focus not only on individual behaviour, but also on the digital environments and systems in which young people spend their time.
The seminar provided an important opportunity to bring research evidence into the European policy discussion and to strengthen dialogue between researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders working towards safer and healthier digital environments for children and young people.
Photo: J. Burkauskas
