Young people are shaping their identities in an environment that never stands still. Interaction with peers, which used to be confined to the classroom or an afternoon spent together, now continues online, without interruption. Social media has profoundly transformed the way teenagers perceive themselves and are perceived by others: every piece of content shared, every reaction received and every dynamic of inclusion or exclusion contributes to shaping an experience that is constantly with them, even when they would simply like to log off.
Added to this is a sense of uncertainty about the future that many previous generations have not experienced with the same intensity. Climate change, economic instability and geopolitical tensions are realities that affect the way young people view the future. These are genuine concerns that are often experienced in silence, without the tools to express them.
It is precisely this realisation that has given rise to EmpowerYOUth, an initiative that supports parents and carers in better understanding the challenges of modern adolescence and in strengthening dialogue with young people. To this end, practical tools and evidence-based resources are made available, with the aim of promoting more mindful relationships and shared wellbeing within the family.
Understanding adolescence also means understanding the changes that characterise this stage of life. An adolescent’s brain is still developing: the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, planning and assessing consequences, continues to mature until around the age of 25, whilst the limbic system, which regulates emotions, is already particularly active. This difference in the timing of development gives rise to many of the behaviours that can bewilder parents and carers, such as impulsivity, intense emotional reactions or a tendency to underestimate the consequences of one’s actions.
These are not signs of something going wrong, but the physiological expression of a brain that is still learning to manage emotions, decisions and relationships, whilst tackling the complex task of building its own identity in an increasingly complex world.
Understanding these processes does not mean becoming an expert on adolescence. Rather, it means acquiring new tools to interpret certain behaviours with greater awareness and to build a relationship based on listening, trust and dialogue. It is often precisely this shift in perspective that makes all the difference.
To provide practical support for this programme, in September 2026 EmpowerYOUth will launch a digital workshop aimed at parents and carers. The programme will consist of four short modules, which can be accessed online at one’s own pace and at any time, designed to offer a better understanding of the challenges young people face today and to transform this knowledge into practical tools for use in everyday life.
The workshop combines theoretical content with practical activities and will be presented during events aimed at parents and guardians. It will also be available free of charge on the EmpowerYOUth platform in Italian, English, Bulgarian and Icelandic.
Would you like to find out more about EmpowerYOUth’s progress? Follow us on our Facebook page or contact Salvatore Duminuco: salvatore.duminuco@danilodolci.org.
EmpowerYOUth: Enhancing Youth Mental Wellbeing is a project funded by the Erasmus+ KA220-YOU programme – Cooperation partnerships in youth.
Partners
- Coordinator: Píeta Ísland, Iceland
- NORTH Consulting ehf, Iceland
- Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci – ETS, Italy
- Natsionalna Shkola Pomenidzhmant, Bulgaria
For further information, visit the project’s Facebook page or contact Salvatore Duminuco: salvatore.duminuco@danilodolci.org.