Frequently asked questions!

The Bootstrap project aims to understand and reduce the risks of harmful internet use among teenagers. It uses an app to collect data from young people, helping researchers to identify patterns of internet use that may lead to harm or poor health. This data also helps researchers to develop strategies to promote healthier internet habits.

5 years

BootStRaP is a hard acronym to remember! And part of that is because only the B, S, R and P are used (Boosting Societal Adaptation and Mental Health in a Rapidly Digitalizing, Post-Pandemic Europe).

EYMH Peer Facilitators are young people from EYMH employed to work on BootStRaP more independently.

Data is securely stored on European servers that meet important security standards. Only authorised researchers involved in the project can access the data. No personal information or content from other apps is collected. More detail can be found at Website Privacy Policy.

Mobile sensing involves using a specially created app to log factors like time of internet use, length of access, and interaction patterns, but not the content viewed. The app does not collect personal information or content from other apps, ensuring your privacy.

Data sensing occurs when devices detect and respond to input from the physical environment. Some of the earliest data sensors were radars, used by ships at sea. Now, data sensing occurs in most technology, even your fitness watch! Data can only be collected by a sensor for a specific thing meaning personal information is not collected.

After the project, the findings will be used to inform healthcare and social policies which we hope will make life safer online. Our results will also be used to develop interventions that promote healthier internet use among young people.

 


Every participant’s input is valuable. Your data contributes to a larger dataset that helps researchers identify trends and patterns that will be used to help develop interventions.

You can withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. Just inform your school if you decide to stop participating. If you’re having problems with the app, speak to your teachers instead.

As a thank you to all the student ambassadors who take part in the study and contribute towards moving research forwards, those who complete the whole study will receive a certificate and 10 euro voucher at the end of the project.

For more information, or if you need to contact the team, please email bootstrap@herts.ac.uk