Project description
Using digital art to reduce the negative effects of social media overuse
Smart devices and social media (SM) platforms are ubiquitous. While there is evidence of their bolstering social interaction, creativity and even health, neuroscientific research suggests that overuse is to our cognitive and emotional detriment, especially during adolescence (mainly linked to depression, anxiety, and executive functions issues). Recognising that SM activity type (not just duration of use) is crucial, the EU-funded SMART project will use various neurological methods to test whether digital artistic interventions can overcome the negative effects on cognition, brain connectivity and mental health previously linked to passive SM overuse. These interventions will be engaging and intellectual, and expected to endorse changes in SM usage. In the long-term, SMART findings are expected to promote artistic training in educational contexts.
Objective
SMART is at a novel intersection between cognitive developmental neuroscience, neuroeducation, mobile health promotion, human brain connectivity, and art appreciation & creation fields. The motivation behind SMART is, first, the increase in usage of smart devices/social media platforms (SM), paired with a reduction in the age of first exposure to these platforms; and second, the focus of neuroscientific research on negative effects of their overuse, despite the evidenced positive influences that SM hold (boosting social interaction, creativity, health promotion). Reported negative influences include alterations on executive functions, cognitive & emotional control, and an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety throughout adolescence/adulthood. Nevertheless, effects of overuse of SM during development are influenced by different factors, with the type of activities/interactions playing a crucial role. SMART’s main goal is to apply art-related interventions to transform the use of SM by adolescents, while seeking to overcome the negative implications linked to the excessive ‘passive’ use of these platforms, at brain, cognitive & mental health levels. Art-based interventions have previously proven to strengthen the same brain networks and functions most frequently impaired due to SM passive overuse. Our artistic interventions will engage participants in more stimulating/intellectual SM activities, reducing the passive overuse, and potentially promoting cultural practices that reduce overall use/dependency of SM. Novelty is granted by using a digital art creation approach (no classical art training), involving daily used devices & motivating environments, and the combination of multimethodological data to study the brain mechanisms behind potential cognitive & emotional changes induced by the interventions. Conclusions from SMART may promote artistic activities/professions, inspire education programs and policy, and be applied to improve academic outcomes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28040 MADRID
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.