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At a time when the hours young people spend glued to their phones and electronic devices are increasing, the Italian city of Florence is preparing to open the country's first specialized center for preventing excessive technology use, in an attempt to restore balance between the digital life and the real world.

The center is named "Discover - Out of the Shell," and it specifically targets young people aged 10 to 25. It will launch as a pilot project after the summer vacation, with its first phase lasting until December 2026, located within the "Chiarugi" library in the San Salvi area of Florence.

The project is a joint initiative between the Tuscan health authority, the Municipality of Florence, and the "Reti Sviluppo" cooperative. It does not address excessive technology use as an addiction requiring traditional medical treatment, but rather focuses on prevention, awareness, and early intervention.

Conscious Disconnection

The center relies on the concept of "conscious disconnection" from screens, helping young people and their families discover more balanced ways to use digital devices, especially when intensive use leads to social isolation or disruption in relationships and daily life.

The initiative includes a "listening service" and guidance for young people and parents, along with workshops aimed at restoring non-digital activities and encouraging participants to spend more time away from phones and electronic devices.

In some activities, board games, cooperative games, hands-on workshops, and group experiences replace the screen, alongside outdoor sports activities, with the goal of enhancing social interaction and movement, and supporting mental and physical health.

The Family as a Key Partner

The center's role is not limited to young people; its programs extend to parents, teachers, educators, trainers, and other adults surrounding children and adolescents.

The awareness meetings address the risks of early and excessive use of digital devices, the importance of establishing more balanced family rules, and the warning against turning phones and electronic devices into a permanent means of occupying or caring for children.

This Italian step comes amid growing concerns among families and educational institutions about the intensive use of smartphones, social media platforms, and video games, and the potential accompanying social isolation, family difficulties, and disruptions in lifestyle.

Technology is Not the Enemy

The philosophy of "Discover" is not based on banning devices or enforcing complete detachment from technology, but rather on promoting "responsible use" and finding a balance between digital presence and real life.

In cases where more serious indicators appear, such as social withdrawal, isolation, or psychological distress, the local health authority can coordinate referrals to specialized services, making the center a point for prevention and early detection, connecting young people and their families with the relevant authorities when needed.

The project reflects an Italian approach to addressing excessive digital use as an issue that transcends health concerns, encompassing social, educational, and familial dimensions, especially since its repercussions can extend from the user to their relationships with family, school, and social environment.

The name "Discover" carries a direct connotation of the project's idea; it invites young people to explore what lies beyond the screen and to reclaim space for relationships, activities, and real environments.

According to the initiative's organizers, the goal is not to distance young people from technology, but to help them use it more consciously, creatively, and responsibly, while reclaiming space for social life and collective activities in the face of the increasing presence of screens.