Screen Addiction in the AI era

Here, we outline the topic of screen addiction in the AI era, which could be considered for the frameworks of Erasmus+ K220 projects and integrated into wider topics such as well-being, mental health and resilience, including loneliness, depression, stress and anxiety.

Issues of screen addiction

Screen addiction, also known as internet addiction, virtual addiction, or digital addiction, can occur when young people use different screens too much and too often. We are therefore speaking about screen addiction here, which involves the overuse of different types of screens and which can lead to addiction. This can involve watching too much TV, playing video games, constantly using social media or YouTube, or using other smartphone apps. In all cases, it involves overusing screens.

Although this type of addiction is relatively new, it is usually addressed in the same way as more traditional addictions, such as alcohol, drugs, relationships, gambling... This involves a preventive aspect, such as challenges from professionals, parents and teachers to reduce screen time among young people, and a curative aspect involving professional psychological and health interventions when screen addiction occurs.

Alternative approaching to screen addiction

We do not pay much attention to the preventive or curative aspects of addressing this addiction. Firstly, screens have become an indispensable working tool for young people (and other generations too), so we do not see the added value in focusing too much on preventive measures to reduce screen time. Secondly, many practices have been in place for some time in our societies with regard to preventive or curative approaches. This is why we address screen addiction through two alternative approaches: a reflective approach, which takes a holistic view of the origins of addiction in relation to the individual's place in society; and a proactive approach, which focuses on helping individuals to understand and strengthen their sense of Self to more easily overcome the challenges and pitfalls of the AI era.

The topic of screen addiction raises many questions that deserve attention, such as:
 In what specific ways does screen addiction differ from other traditional types of addiction in terms of its archetypal origins?
 Why is the preventive aspect of dealing with screen addiction rather limited?
 What are the main crises affecting young people in modern societies today?
 What is the most hidden and overlooked aspect of the human self that individuals are trying to address?
 What kind of mindset needs to be cultivated in young people to help them develop a sense of self?
 Why is reflecting on screen addiction through the prism of the Self urgent in today's digital and AI society? ...

The topic of screen addiction encompasses the following elements:
 Clarification of screen addiction in relation to other addictions
 Types of crises affecting young people in modern society
 Different aspects of the human self
 Origins and causes of potential addiction
 Parallel existence of time and space in digital and physical worlds
 Limits of the preventive aspect in dealing with screen addiction
 Reflective and proactive aspects in dealing with screen addiction

Target groups:
This topic is intended for professionals whose work is directly or indirectly linked to young people in schools and other workplaces. The issues addressed include well-being and mental health, such as loneliness, depression, stress and anxiety.
• For young people
• For youth leaders
• For career counsellors and coaches
• For school counsellors in primary and secondary schools
• For educators in students’ homes
• For other interested professionals or individuals.

As a project partner, Center Spirala can offer the following in your project:
• (Co)creation of educational materials regarding screen addiction and integration into the wider project's topics (for development curricula, workshops or non-formal adult courses);
• Qualitative research activities (if the KA2 project includes research activities, we can collaborate on desk research and the qualitative analysis of various types of qualitative and quantitative data to support content development and evidence-based outcomes).
• Evaluation of qualitative evaluation projects' products to improve their quality;
• Providing reliable support in shaping and implementing the project, devoted to content development, project dissemination and ensuring that the project's targets are met during implementation.

If your organisation intends to apply for the March 2026 Erasmus+ Call with a KA2 project that will include issues of screen addiction in some way, we would be happy to join such a consortium.