Description / Abstract
This training programme, organised for professionals working within ULSS 6 and structured into three three-hour sessions, explored the relationship between young people, digital media, and the transformation of contemporary social and affective relationships. The programme aimed to provide theoretical and practical tools to better understand youth digital cultures, their languages and practices, and the emerging educational and preventive challenges connected to online environments.
The first session focused on digital media as spaces of socialisation, identity construction, and participation, examining the role of social media platforms, algorithms, and digital communication practices in the everyday lives of younger generations.
The second session addressed the intersection of digital media, gender, and sexuality, discussing topics such as online relationships, the impact of artificial intelligence on intimacy and affective bonds, sexting, online pornography, and new forms of emotional and relational experience. Particular attention was paid to both the opportunities and risks associated with digital platforms, highlighting the importance of developing critical, relational, and educational competences.
The final session concentrated on contemporary forms of online gender-based violence, including hate speech, digital harassment, coercive control, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content. The session also explored the phenomenon of the manosphere and online misogynistic cultures, reflecting on the role of digital platforms in the circulation of anti-feminist and radicalising narratives among young people.
Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, the programme encouraged a critical reflection on the transformation of affectivity, intimacy, and relationships within contemporary digital ecosystems, while offering practical insights for educational, preventive, and socio-health work with adolescents and young adults.
