It leaves from Naples “Dis Connect”s, format for the awareness of social social social social socials and digital detox. Tuesday 10 February 10.30 am, Aula Magna of the University Parthenopeon the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2026, World Day for Internet Safety and Aware Use of Internet websi lancia Dis Connect, format sdigital educationcreated by Danilo Zanghi and Ilaria Urbani.
Is there a life beyond TikTok? The use of social media is comparable to a binge. The age of technology is turning from an opportunity into a boomerang for the new generations. A think tank for digital disconnection can only start from Naples, the youngest city in Italy, among the most vital digital hubs in Southern Europe, with a high production of visual content, continuous engagement and a strong social identity at an international level. Along with Palermo and Catania, Naples is the city where the most NEETs, Not in Education, Employment or Training live, young people aged between 15 and 29 who do not study, do not work and do not train for any profession. In the metropolitan area of Naples the school dropout rate remains very high, especially in high schools.
Tuesday 10 February at 10.30am at the round table, a think tank with the kids from Parthenope University, the students of the ITI Ferraris of Scampiapromoted by Dis-Connectthe association Artur and by the student association “Students for Uni Parthenope”, intervengono Maria Luisa LavaroneFull Professor of Pedagogy at the University of Naples Parthenope, Andrea Bonifaciopsychologist, psychotherapist, Tnpee, Danilo Zanghi, creator of Dis Connect and Digital Strategist, Daniela Contehead teacher of the “G.Ferraris” Industrial Technical Institute of Naples, Luana Simeonepresident of the Parthenope University Association “Studenti Per”, Domenico Tafuridirector of the Department of Medical, Exercise and Wellbeing Sciences and Chiara Marcianicouncilor of the Municipality of Naples for youth policies, work and welfare.
moderate Ilaria Urbanijournalist of La Repubblica Napoli, creator of the format Dis Connect.
They participate Ceppelandinfluencer and content creator, and singer-songwriter Gabriele Esposito.
Video appeals by Maurizio de Giovanni e Marisa Laurito.
Inaugural greeting from the Magnificent Rector Antonio Garofalo
Monologue edited by Luigi Felaco.
One in two young people, under 26, turns to AI – explains a note dedicated to the initiative – for sentimental, health or psychological problems. Doctors, pediatricians and child neuropsychiatrists are raising the alarm of the adolescent psychiatric emergency. The president Sánchez Spain bans the use of social media to defend under-16s from the “digital Wildwest”, arousing the ire of X owner Elon Musk. In France the president Macron calls for a ban on children under 15 and says “The brains of our children are not for sale”. The Honorable Sandro Ruotolo with the pediatrician and politician Paolo Siani addresses in the European Parliament the consequences of the excessive and intensive use of devices to “build a safer digital world for children”. In Italy and many countries in the world, even the most “tech”, from China to California, measures are adopted to limit the use of devices among adolescents. Scientific studies show that smartphones are harmful to the physical and mental health of children: overweight, obesity, hypertension, muscle and eye damage are the most frequent physical damage, psychological damage, anxiety and depression caused by early and prolonged exposure to screens.
Maria Luisa Iavaroneordinary of Pedagogy at Parthenope University, reflects: “The relationship that young people have with technologies is increasingly pervasive and absorbing but above all it is characterized by a new aspect: over 70% of adolescents (Skuola.net, 2025) habitually use their mobile phones to access artificial intelligence to which they ask questions of a personal and relational nature for the purpose of emotional support (AI Companions). This phenomenon is a sign of a profound anthropological change. A use that tells of young people’s need for listening, orientation and acceptance without judgement. Why then do young people paradoxically seek empathy in an artificial system? Why did they stop looking for it in an adult? Also on these aspects the Dis-Conn formatect will try to find answers to return to a more authentic and humanly intimate relationship“.
«Digital disconnection – explains Danilo Zanghipromoter of the initiative and digital strategist – it concerns children and not only: it involves schools, but also daily life as a whole. Educating especially young people not to become dependent on smartphones does not only mean, rightly, limiting their use in school classrooms, but providing concrete tools to discover interests outside the web: from animation to reading, from cinema and theater to music, through their language and their gaze. Since I have been working in the digital communication sector, I realize every day how necessary it is to change my approach, starting from the quality of the contents, which have a key role in a healthy and conscious use of digital. Our task is not to demonize social media, but to make the new generations capable of choosing, developing critical sense and awareness regarding the variety and beauty of the means available for knowledge and free time.”
Neuroscience tells us that digital platforms attract addictions, impose comparisons with unreal models, generate anxiety, social isolation, sleep and mood disorders, eating habits, self-harm. The relationship between children and digital is increasingly close. According to Save The Children
date: 2026-02-10 05:19:00
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