LOGROÑO, April 28. (EUROPA PRESS) –
82.5 percent of young people between 10 and 15 years old in La Rioja have a mobile phone, the second highest rate in Spain, according to Fundación Cibervoluntarios, a pioneering organization in technological volunteering that works to eliminate the digital divide.
He highlighted that in 2023, internet use among young people between 16 and 24 years old increased to 99.8 percent according to the INE. In Spain, the mobile phone is the most used device among minors; 82.5 percent of young people between 10 and 15 years old in La Rioja have a mobile phone. It is the second community with the highest rate, compared to the 70.6 percent average in Spain.
The (Des)CONECTA program, which has the support of the Government of La Rioja, aims to teach them to distinguish between appropriate and abusive use of technology, avoiding blaming and prohibitions, and promoting positive and healthy use. Since January, more than 300 young people have already been trained in this autonomous community.
The workshops are aimed at adolescents and young people between 10 and 18 years old, adapting the content to each age group. Any educational center or entity that works in the guidance of young people and adolescents can request it free of charge through the website www.cibervoluntarios.org.
According to a 2023 study by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, it has not been scientifically proven that indiscriminate bans on the use of mobile devices are beneficial for the health of children and adolescents. The study warns that only establishing prohibitions can lead to neglecting attention to other factors by families and institutions in positive education and responsible use.
(Des)CONECTA was born from this need to guide and educate the youngest in the conscious use of technology, so that they learn to detect symptoms of excessive use, which can cause problems such as anxiety, lack of concentration or changes in mood. moods and social isolation, among others.
Syndromes such as nomophobia (irrational fear of not having a cell phone or being connected to the Internet) and vamping (excessive use of screens before going to sleep), which affect the health and academic performance of young people, can be prevented with the use of digital well-being tools, with which they learn to consciously decide how much time they dedicate to screens.
Since 2005, Cibervoluntarios has developed educational programs to promote positive Internet use among minors, which address topics such as privacy and security, digital well-being and the prevention of risky behavior. Last year, Cibervoluntarios trained more than 40,000 children and young people throughout Spain, thanks to the collaboration with more than 600 educational centers and entities.
Fundación Cibervoluntarios is an international Spanish NGO that is a pioneer in technological volunteering focused on facilitating the acquisition of digital skills for people in situations of digital vulnerability and eliminating the digital divide, and promoting the use and knowledge of technology as a means to alleviate gaps. social, generate social innovation and empowerment of citizens. Since 2001, we help thousands of people a year to use technology, thanks to the time and dedication of the more than 3,500 people who already volunteer in technology, and in collaboration with more than 2,000 national and international entities.
