DIGI-CARE: Neuro-behaviourally driven early detection and just-in-time interventions to prevent digital-related mental-health harm in children and young adults

Project Snapshot

DIGI-CARE addresses the growing challenge of digital-related mental health harm among children and young adults aged 10–24. Rather than viewing digital engagement solely as a risk, we are developing a nuanced, evidence-based framework that distinguishes between healthy identity formation and potentially harmful digital usage patterns.

Our model targets the critical intersection of digital behaviour and mental wellbeing through a dual-approach ecosystem:

• Advanced Detection Framework: A privacy-preserving system designed to identify early risk signals through non-intrusive behavioural insights, strictly adhering to GDPR and ethical standards.

• Personalised Support System**:** A suite of co-designed, responsive interventions that provide youth-centred support—such as resilience building and digital-balance prompts—precisely when they are most effective.

The overarching objective of DIGI-CARE is to develop and validate a scalable European model for early prevention. By integrating real-time insights with human-centred support, we aim to prevent the escalation of mental health difficulties, generating robust evidence to guide families, educators, and policymakers across Europe.​

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking partners to complete a multidisciplinary consortium capable of multi-country implementation. We are specifically looking for expertise in the following areas:

-Clinical & Neuroscience Research Partners

• Role: To lead neuro-biological and behavioural validation studies.

• Specific Needs: Expertise in child and adolescent neurobiology and clinical psychiatry. We specifically require partners capable of managing neuroimaging studies to map the neural correlates of digital stress, attentional control, and emotional regulation.

-Digital Health & Technical Developers

• Role: To co-develop the technical infrastructure for the detection and support layers.

• Specific Needs: Ability to build secure, privacy-first systems for digital health. Partners must have expertise in ethical AI to ensure that risk detection triggers supportive, not intrusive, interventions. Strong capabilities in cybersecurity and data protection are essential.

What We Offer

By joining the DIGI-CARE consortium, you will be part of a high-impact initiative that aims to:

-Generate and utilise high-quality data on youth behavioural health that link digital behaviour directly to mental health outcomes, offering insights into effective prevention strategies across diverse demographics.

-Contribute to closing the gap between research and everyday youth support, ensuring that prevention tools are practical, scalable, and usable in daily life.​

-Directly influence European regulation by contributing to evidence-based toolkits and safety-by-design recommendations aligned with major EU strategies on mental health and digital safety.

Our Vision

We believe that effective prevention in the digital age must be proactive and deeply respectful of youth agency. DIGI-CARE moves away from restrictive approaches and isolated programs. Instead, we aim to empower young people through a coherent ecosystem that combines smart technology with human support, ensuring that every young European can navigate the digital world safely and build the resilience needed for long-term mental wellbeing.​

Interested in collaborating? Please contact us to discuss how your expertise can contribute to the DIGI-CARE mission.