On 11 November, ScrollCon, an event organised by the SpaceTeen research project in collaboration with Dutch Netwerk Mediawijsheid. Within the SpaceTeen consortium, CCAM scholars collaborate with Kinderpostzegels, Nemo Science Museum, KPN, VodafoneZiggo, YoungMedia, KidsRights, City of Amsterdam, Erasmus University, Muzus, TodayTomorrow, and ScrollScrollScroll. Under the guidance of the project leader, Dr Sindy Sumter, the event brought together young people, researchers, designers, policymakers, and professionals from the media and technology sectors to explore how research can inform meaningful design interventions and create healthier online/offline spaces for young people.
Throughout the afternoon, participants discussed the opportunities and challenges of designing for young people, together with young people. Researchers shared findings on how different age groups experience online environments, perceive their digital lives, and intend to develop healthier online habits.
One of the central challenges discussed was the difficulty of designing meaningful alternatives to highly personalised, algorithm-driven entertainment. Digital platforms increasingly fill moments that might otherwise allow for boredom, reflection, and creativity. As one young participant insightfully pointed out, if Leonardo da Vinci had never experienced boredom, perhaps he would never have invented so many remarkable things. This observation raised an important question: What happens to creativity when digital entertainment occupies nearly every moment of our free time?
At the same time, the discussion highlighted that opportunities for offline activities and community-building are not always readily available or appealing to young people. Simply encouraging them to spend less time on their phones is therefore not enough. Meaningful alternatives must also address their needs for connection, belonging, and autonomy.
Designers responded to these challenges with creative interventions developed in collaboration with young people. One solution focused on social planning, enabling young people to organise activities, connect with peers, and build communities around shared interests. Rather than relying solely on restrictions or screen-time controls, this approach supports self-regulation and autonomy by making offline social experiences more accessible and attractive.
Another design intervention explored how young girls could actively participate in shaping public and outdoor spaces that better reflect their needs, preferences, and sense of belonging. This expanded the conversation beyond digital environments, highlighting the importance of designing physical spaces that offer meaningful alternatives to online engagement.
Overall, ScrollCon fostered valuable dialogue among research, design, policy, and young people's lived experiences. The panel discussions brought together diverse stakeholder perspectives, while the interactive sessions demonstrated how academic insights can be translated into tangible, youth-centred solutions.
The event offered a warm, welcoming, and stimulating environment, reminding us that creating healthier digital futures is not simply about reducing screen time, but about giving young people more opportunities, agency, and spaces to connect, explore, and create both online and offline.
If you have further questions or need more information, please approach:
Project leaders: Dr Sindy Sumter & Dr Lise-Marir Nassen
See project: SpaceTeen - Youth & Media Entertainment - ASCoR - University of Amsterdam
SpaceTeen - openresearch.amsterdam
Young people design alternatives to addictive social media - University of Amsterdam
