Facts

Collaborating partners:

Region Jönköping County, County Administrative Board of Jönköping

Project Duration: 2025-2026

Researchers:

Frida Lygnegård, principal investigator

Marlene Ockander, co-researcher

Joakim Kävrestad, co-researcher JTH

Funder:

The research environment Studies in Integrated Health and Welfare (SIHW) at the School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University

 

In today’s digital society, young people spend a significant part of their daily lives online, where social norms, roles, and behaviors are shaped. Digital engagement offers opportunities for meaningful participation and social interaction, but also involves risks such as cyberbullying, harassment, and destructive behaviors. These experiences can have serious consequences for young people's mental health and long-term well-being.

Rationale for the study

Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this co-creative research initiative aims to explore how young people aged 13–17 perceive safety in digital environments, and what support they need to navigate these spaces securely. The project is carried out in collaboration between Jönköping University, the County Administrative Board of Jönköping, and Region Jönköping County.

Materials and Methods

During spring 2025, four focus groups were conducted with students from various upper secondary schools in Jönköping Municipality to capture their experiences and perspectives on what contributes to feeling safe online. These insights form the foundation for a forthcoming co-creative research project in which young people will actively participate in the research process - from idea development to the design of interventions. The innovative aspect of the project lies in the youth-led approach, enabling solutions grounded in their lived realities. A grant application will be submitted to FORTE in February 2026.

Dissemination of results

The project will be presented by the principal investigator at the conference “Innovative Approaches to Addressing Societal Challenges through Co-Creative Research” organized by Mötesplats Social Innovation (MSI). Link to the conference ( information in Swedish): Nytänkande sätt att möta samhällsutmaningar genom samskapande forskning

An abstract has also been accepted for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, 2026.
Link to the conference website: https://wfotcongress2026.org/

Publications

In Swedish only: samtal-med-unga.pdf

Contact person

Agenda 2030 goals