SpaceTeen

Excessive social media use is a growing societal issue. More and more young people want to spend less time on social media, yet often struggle to do so. Not because they lack discipline, but because platforms are intentionally designed to capture and hold attention.

Although parents, teachers, researchers, policymakers and young people themselves recognise this problem, structural solutions remain limited. Legislation is slow to emerge, social media companies show little intention to change their platform design, and existing self-control tools prove insufficiently effective for young users. The result? Young people have very little influence over how their digital environment is designed.

SpaceTeen aims to change this. Not by labelling social media as ‘bad’, but by making young people co-designers of healthier digital and physical environments. Together with designers and researchers, they develop solutions based on their own experiences. This work unfolds along three tracks: Less, Better, Different.

SpaceTeen explorations with young people

• Less – Reclaimer
  What would a screen-time self-control tool look like if it truly gave young people agency, without being prescriptive?
  Co-design with children and young people (10–16 years old) leads to the development of a playful tool that helps them reflect on and manage their screen time more consciously. Rather than punishment or strict rules, the tool supports young people in taking control themselves and allows them to use it together with others.
• Better – Scrollternatives
  What would a social media platform look like if it prioritised wellbeing instead of maximising attention?
  Through co-design with young people (16–18 years old), an alternative platform is developed based on Bright UX Patterns: design choices that encourage healthy and mindful use.
• Different – Happy Place
  What would a physical place look like that enables young people to meet and connect, rather than primarily seeking this online?
  Through co-design with teenagers (12–18 years old), so-called Third Places are designed: spaces outside school and home where young people can meet, connect and find a healthier balance between their digital and physical worlds (Happy Place).

Youth participation and cross-sector collaboration
Within SpaceTeen, young people are not treated merely as a target group but participate actively as co-researchers and co-designers. Together with the creative industry and academic partners, they explore how the digital and physical worlds intertwine and how they might be shaped differently.

Cross-sector collaboration is essential: it makes research more innovative and ensures that design processes are scientifically grounded. At every stage, the guiding question remains: “How can we meaningfully involve young people and give them an active role?”

In addition to developing prototypes, SpaceTeen generates knowledge about co-design with young people, collaboration between sectors, and the role of design in digital transitions. These insights are shared through the project website, the annual ScrollReports, and during ScrollCon (2026 and 2027), a public programme featuring research presentations, activities and expert sessions. In doing so, SpaceTeen builds a network of partners working together on structural solutions with young people, rather than for them.