The agreement to launch the project was signed by the ASL Toscana Centro health authority, the Florence city administration, and the Retesviluppo cooperative, according to Euronews. Its founders describe Discover as the country’s first platform to combine educational, social, and psychological programs aimed at preventing problems associated with excessive use of digital devices and social media.
The center is designed for young people aged 10 to 25. In addition to individual counseling, the center will offer career guidance programs, media literacy courses, practical sessions on developing face-to-face communication skills, as well as workshops providing alternatives to screen time—such as board games, creative projects, and team-building activities.
According to Letizia Perini, Florence’s deputy mayor for youth policy, digital technologies have become an integral part of teenagers’ lives, so the project’s goal is not to impose restrictions, but to foster a culture of responsible use of digital services and maintain a balance between online and offline life.
The center’s launch comes amid a tightening of European policies regarding children’s use of social media. France was the first country in Europe to pass a law banning children under 15 from accessing social media. In the United Kingdom, nighttime restrictions on minors’ use of social media are being discussed, while Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Slovenia are considering their own measures to strengthen the protection of children in the digital environment.
Italy has chosen a different approach. Instead of introducing new bans, the authorities are focusing on prevention, education, and early detection of problems. The Discover Center plans to conduct research, develop educational programs, and train parents, educators, and social workers in methods for preventing digital addiction.
When more serious cases are identified—such as social isolation, psychological disorders, or severe internet addiction—specialists from the regional healthcare system will be brought in to assist.
If the project proves effective, its model could be used to establish similar centers in other regions of Italy, becoming part of a national strategy to create a safe digital environment for children and young people.
