University of Amsterdam · Developmental Psychology

Understanding youth in a
digital world

We study how adolescents and young adults navigate digital media and what it means for their mental health, behaviour, and well-being.

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16–25
Primary age group
2022
Active since
6
Studies conducted
5+
Partner institutions
What we study

Three research themes

Our work sits at the intersection of developmental psychology, digital media, and mental health, using a range of methods to understand a complex picture.

Problematic Digital Media Use

When social media and gaming shift from everyday habits to patterns that interfere with daily life, we study how these develop, who is at risk, and why.

Mental Health Outcomes

Emotional problems, ADHD symptoms, conduct difficulties, and prosocial behaviour, and how these relate to young people's digital lives over time.

Individual Differences

Not all young people are equally affected. We examine who is more vulnerable, what protects them, and how context, including gender and social support, shapes outcomes.

Our research

Six studies, one project

From focus groups with teenagers to lab tasks to two-week smartphone protocols — our studies complement each other to build a fuller picture.

Study I In Review

Adolescents' Perspectives on Digital Media Use

Focus group interviews with teenagers in Dutch secondary schools — in their own words, about their digital lives and need for change.

2023 · Focus Groups Read more
Study II Published

Mental Health & Problematic Digital Media Use

A two-year longitudinal study tracking 645 Dutch adolescents — examining what comes first: emotional problems or problematic use.

2025 · ABCD Cohort Read more
Study III Published

ADHD Symptoms & Problematic Digital Media Use

A UvA laboratory study testing whether cognitive difficulties explain the link between ADHD and social media or gaming problems.

2026 · Lab Study Read more
Study IV In Review

Social Media Content & Pornography-Related Urges

An experimental study investigating how sexualised content on social media affects pornography-related desire and self-regulation in young adults.

2025 · RCT Experiment Read more
Study V Ongoing

Daily Dynamics of Social Media & Emotional Well-Being

A two-week smartphone study capturing, moment to moment, how social media use and emotional states interact in adolescents' daily lives.

2026 · EMA Read more
Study VI Ongoing New

Perceived Addiction to Social Media & Gaming

A five-wave longitudinal study tracking 1830 Dutch adolescents over one year, examining bidirectional links between emotional problems and perceived addiction.

2025 · ABCD Cohort Read more
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The team

Researchers behind the project

The core team works out of the Department of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, with collaborators at Amsterdam UMC and partner institutions across the Netherlands.

Luka Todorović
PhD Candidate

Luka Todorović, MSc

Project coordinator, leading the design and execution of the Digital Youth Project studies. His research focuses on problematic digital media use in adolescents and emerging adults.

Dr. Helle Larsen
Associate Professor

Dr. Helle Larsen

Specialist in social and cognitive processes underlying health behaviours in youth, including digital media use, substance use, and self-regulation. Chair of the Dutch Society for Developmental Psychology (VNOP).

Dr. Annabel Bogaerts
Assistant Professor

Dr. Annabel Bogaerts

Annabel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam, specialising in identity development, feelings of emptiness, and their associations with psychopathology and self-destructive behaviour in adolescents and young adults.

Full team →

Interested in collaborating?

We work with secondary schools, clinical organisations, and research partners. If you'd like to participate in a study or explore a partnership, we'd like to hear from you.

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