Project "Happiness2.0: Social media use and well-being in adolescence" resumes

The Happiness2.0 project offers science-based communication activities to 14-to-18-year-old adolescents living in Ticino, as well as parents and stakeholders, thanks to an extensive network of partners. The aim is to discuss how the use of social media influences adolescents' well-being over time, considering positive well-being indicators (e.g. happiness) and developmental processes such as personality formation and the need for social connections.

The project is being conducted under the guidance of Dr Laura Marciano of Harvard University, Dr Silvia Misiti of IBSA Foundation for scientific research and Prof. Peter J. Schulz of Università della Svizzera italiana. From 23 to 27 September, the second week of 2-hour workshops, "HappyLab", will take place at Casa Carlo Cattaneo. These workshops will focus on exploring the impact of social networks on teenagers' lives, the concept of identity, and the significance of social relationships through practical activities and discussions.

On Friday, 27 September, from 6:30 pm at the USI Auditorium, a 'HappyApero' will be held, free and open to the public. The encounter will feature Ticino's youtuber ShantiLives, interviewed by Laura Marciano, and experts from Rete Operativa. During the event, the young audience will be able to talk to experts, parents and adults. Additionally, in February, the "Happy Table" will be held, and stakeholders, teachers, and high school headmasters will be invited to reflect on the activities carried out in 2024 and to launch the Happiness2.0 project for 2025.

Happiness2.0 is a project financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) thanks to the Rolling Agora programme.The project's goal is to apply the findings of scientific research, especially the HappyB project, to real-world activities by combining art and science. The activities take place at Casa Carlo Cattaneo, home of the IBSA Foundation for scientific research, and at USI. Around 400 high school students, parents and teachers participate in the project. The duration of the project is 1 year (2024-2025). In addition to the National Fund, Happiness2.0 has been funded by the IBSA Foundation for scientific research. The project is a collaboration between USI, the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston (USA), and the IBSA Foundation.

Registration for the event on September 27 at USI can be completed by visiting the following link: https://www.ibsafoundation.org/it/happiness2.0-2024/happyapero-settembre

More information is available on the project page https://www.ibsafoundation.org/it/happiness2.0-2024.