Net&Me Bootstrap

01/09/2026

We were pleased to anounce that Dr Sophia Achab presented BootStRaP at this year’s Congress in Bern, Switzerland.

The growing discussion around problematic internet use is increasingly moving beyond questions of how much young people use digital media to how digital environments are designed.

A key insight emerging from this work is that the anatomy of the screen itself has structural features that can shape behaviour — from interface design and attention-capturing elements to patterns of interaction that may encourage prolonged or repetitive use.

With BootStRaP, we are contributing to this evolving conversation by looking at digital environments not simply as neutral tools, but as spaces whose design can influence behaviour and wellbeing.

Thank you to the SGKJPP organising committee for creating a space for this important discussion and for bringing together researchers and clinicians working foor better digital future.

26/08/2026

The Net&Me Bootstrap project was strongly represented at the ICBA Conference, with several sessions dedicated to Problematic Use of the Internet.

The discussions highlighted not only scientific advances, but also their potential impact on policy and practice. We were especially pleased to see strong participation from early-career researchers and a clear commitment to gender-balanced, inclusive science.

Building evidence, shaping policy, and supporting the next generation of PUI researchers.

26/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Julius Burkauskas

How can psychological research help us better understand PUI?

As concerns about problematic use of the internet ( ) continue to grow, understanding the psychological mechanisms behind online is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Dr Julius Burkauskas is a senior researcher at the Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and a practicing clinical psychologist-psychotherapist (CBT). His work focuses heavily on mental health, behavioural medicine and psychological wellbeing.

He is an active member of several international and national professional organisations, including the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (serving as a Director’s Board member since January 2022), the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP), the Lithuanian Biological Psychiatry Association, and the Lithuanian Psychologists Association.

With more than 100 scientific publications and extensive experience in both research and clinical practice, Dr Burkauskas contributes to advancing evidence-based approaches to mental health and behavioural addictions. His dedication to advancing psychological and medical science has been recognized with multiple national and international awards.

At the Net&Me Bootstrap conference "From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," he discussed psychological perspectives on problematic use of the internet and their implications for research, prevention and practice.

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkK2Sk6BVCI

▪️ Recorded during the BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on PUI and digital wellbeing.



Biologinė psichiatrija ir psichofarmakologija Lietuvos psichologų sąjunga

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...

24/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Célia Sales

How can families and communities help shape digital wellbeing solutions?

As concerns about problematic use of the internet ( ) continue to grow, there is increasing recognition that effective responses cannot rely on research and policy alone. Families, communities and citizens also play a critical role.

Associate Professor Célia Sales is a board member of the Center for Psychology at the Universidade do Porto (CPUP) and a faculty member at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the Universidade do Porto (FPCEUP). She is a licensed family therapist, supervisor and former Vice-President of the Portuguese Association for Family and Community Therapy. Her research focuses on how individuals and families adapt to the psychological impact of illness, the co-design of digital psychological interventions, and citizen science approaches to psychological wellbeing.

Bringing together expertise in therapy, psychological wellbeing and research, Prof. Sales explores how people can be actively in developing solutions that respond to real-world needs.

At the Net&Me Bootstrap conference "From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," she discussed co-design, citizen science and the role of families and communities in supporting healthier digital futures.

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuWCAyqe1CI

▪️ Recorded during the Net&Me BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on problematic use of the internet and digital wellbeing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...

19/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Louca-Mai Brady

How can young people become partners in research, not just participants?

As discussions about young people's digital wellbeing continue to expand, there is growing recognition that effective solutions should be shaped not only for young people, but also with them.

Dr Louca Mai Brady is a Reader at the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care, University of Hertfordshire. She leads research on children's and young people's in health and care services and research, including participation in large research studies, clinical trials and community-based co-production projects.

Her work focuses on public involvement, youth participation in health and social care research, and qualitative and participatory research methods. Alongside her academic work, she has contributed practical and supporting young people-led research and meaningful involvement in decision-making.

At the Net&Me Bootstrap conference"From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," Dr Brady discussed key principles of youth and -creation, highlighting why young people's perspectives are essential when developing digital wellbeing research and .

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf5uSIQjAcY

▪️ Recorded during the BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on PUI and digital wellbeing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...

17/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Mart Susi

How do human rights apply in the digital world?

As continues to debate online safety, platform responsibility and digital regulation, another important question emerges: how can we protect fundamental rights in increasingly digital environments?

Professor Mart Susi is a Professor of Human Rights Law and a leading expert on the digital dimension of human rights. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Tartu and has led numerous research and development projects funded by the European Commission and the The Nordic Council of Ministers.

His work explores new approaches to understanding human rights in the digital age. Professor Susi has edited several books on digital human rights, developed the Internet Formula, recently published the Cambridge University Press monograph Non-coherence Theory of Digital Human Rights, and currently leads the Horizon Europe project Countering Manipulation while Preserving Peace and Society.

At the Net&Me Bootstrap conference"From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," he discussed the legal dimensions of digital environments and what they mean for young people, rights and online wellbeing.

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C55tSra8adE
▪️ Recorded during the Net&Me BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on problematic use of the internet ( ) and digital wellbeing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...

13/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Katajun Lindenberg

What works in preventing problematic use of the internet ( ) before it becomes a problem?

As concerns about youth mental health and problematic use of the internet continue to grow, prevention is becoming just as important as intervention.

Professor Katajun Lindenberg is Professor of Clinical Child Psychology at Heidelberg University and Director of the University's Outpatient Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy. A licensed child and adolescent psychotherapist, her research focuses on and youth mental health, particularly school-based , digital and online behavioural addictions in children and adolescents.

Having previously held professorships at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt and Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Prof. Lindenberg has dedicated much of her work to developing and evaluating evidence-based approaches that help young people build healthier digital habits and resilience.

At the Net&Me Bootstrap conference"From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," she discussed evidence-based prevention interventions and their role in addressing PUI among children and adolescents.

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4gOKAMnMdQ

▪️ Recorded during the Net&Me BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on PUI and digital wellbeing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...

12/08/2026

Interesting insights, longitudinal cohort study.

These findings suggest that counselling families on specific media parenting practices may help reduce adolescent screen exposure and problematic screen use.

11/08/2026

▶️ BootStRaP | Prof. Susanne Walitza

Why is becoming an increasingly important issue in child and adolescent mental health?

As concerns about youth mental health continue to grow across , there is increasing interest in understanding the factors that contribute to problematic use of the internet (PUI) and its links to broader psychiatric disorders.

Professor Susanne Walitza is Full Professor and Medical and Research Director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Universität Zürich. Her research focuses on the complex and interacting factors involved in the development of psychiatric disorders, including , and .

With more than 350 scientific publications, Prof. Walitza is internationally recognised for her contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry. She serves as Co-Chair of the International College of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders (ICOCS), was Vice President of the World Association of Anxiety and Stress Related Disorders (WASAD), and is a member of the IACAPAP Executive Board as WHO Liaison.

At the Net&Me BootStRaP conference "From Research to Action: Towards a Safer and Healthier Digital Future for Young People," she presented the latest findings from the Swiss cohort and discussed what current evidence reveals about PUI and youth mental health.

▶️ Watch the presentation here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anA9baNBQDg
▪️ Recorded during the Net&Me BootStRaP international conference at the Parliament of the Republic of .

Follow us for more evidence-based perspectives on PUI and digital wellbeing.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - From Research to Action: A Safer and Hea...